Vermont’s minimum wage will increase from $9.15 to $9.60 on Jan. 1. The measure is part of legislation that Gov. Peter Shumlin signed to raise the wage each year until it reaches $10.50 in 2018.
The legislation signed in June 2014 raised the minimum wage from $8.73 to $9.15 in 2015. After rising to $9.60 in 2016, the wage will increase to $10 in 2017 and $10.50 in 2018. It will be indexed to inflation in subsequent years.
Vermont was one of the first to answer President Obama’s call for states to bypass Congress and raise the minimum wage. Vermont has one of the highest minimum wages in America.
The increase in the minimum wage has corresponded with strong job growth from Vermont employers. According to the Vermont Department of Labor, since the law went into effect a year ago Vermont employers have added 3,200 jobs.
“I was proud to sign this law and I am pleased to see the minimum wage rise once again next year,” Gov. Shumlin said. “Giving a boost to hard working Vermonters is not only the right thing to do; it is also good for our economy as a whole.”