Minimum Wage Requirements in Florida 2024

Overview of Florida's Minimum Wage Requirements

As of February 12, 2024, the minimum wage in the state of Florida is $12.00 per hour. However, it's important to note that there is a scheduled increase in the minimum wage in Florida. By September 30, 2024, the minimum wage will increase to $13.00 per hour. This is part of a series of annual increases that will eventually bring the minimum wage in Florida to $15.00 per hour by September 30, 2026.

These increases are part of a set formula that adjusts the minimum wage annually. This formula was established by a constitutional amendment made in 2004, which also mandates annual increases based on the cost of living. Florida is among the 30 states, including the District of Columbia, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, that have set their minimum wage rates higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25. This means that in Florida, the state minimum wage prevails over the federal minimum wage.

Understanding Local Minimum Wage Variations

While the state of Florida has a set minimum wage, it's important to note that certain counties and cities may have different requirements. For instance, the minimum wage requirements in Miami-Dade County, Florida, for the fiscal year October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2024, are as follows: Employees must be paid not less than $16.51 per hour if they receive qualifying health benefits valued at least $3.83 per hour. If they do not receive such health benefits, they must be paid $20.34 per hour.

On the other hand, as of 2024, the minimum wage in Broward County, Florida is $13.00 per hour. For tipped employees, the required cash wage is $9.98 per hour. Employers are allowed to take a tip credit of up to $3.02 per hour for tipped employees. This is in line with Amendment 2, approved by Florida voters, which mandates a gradual increase in the state's minimum wage to $15.00 an hour by 2026.

Minimum Wage Eligibility and Exemptions

In the state of Florida, most employees are eligible for the state minimum wage. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. Tipped employees, in particular, can be paid a lower cash wage by their employers. The law allows for up to $3.02 in tips earned per hour to be deducted from their wage as a "Tip Credit". This means that tipped employees must be paid a cash wage of at least $5.44 per hour, for a total minimum compensation of $8.46 per hour when tips are included.

It's important to note that Florida does not specify a minimum amount of tips an employee must receive to be classified as a "tipped employee", so any employee who receives tips can be paid according to Florida's tipped minimum wage laws. The minimum wage in Florida is re-evaluated yearly based on a Consumer Price Index, which is intended to raise the rate along with inflation.

Minimum Wage Considerations and Compliance Tips

As a food business employer in Florida, it's crucial to stay updated with the state's minimum wage laws to ensure compliance and avoid potential fines. The tipped wage is another important consideration. As of 2024, the tipped wage in Florida is $8.98 per hour. This is the minimum wage that employers are required to pay employees who earn tips as part of their income.

For overtime, all workers who put in over 40 weekly hours are entitled to a minimum wage of at least 1.5 times the regular applicable minimum wage. Florida law does not specify a daily overtime limit. Employers who intentionally violate minimum wage requirements may be fined $1,000.00 per violation. Therefore, it's essential to adhere to these regulations to avoid such penalties.

FAQs

• What is the current minimum wage in Florida? As of February 12, 2024, the minimum wage in Florida is $12.00 per hour.
• Are there any exceptions to the minimum wage in Florida? Yes, tipped employees can be paid a lower cash wage by their employers.
• What is the tipped wage in Florida? As of 2024, the tipped wage in Florida is $8.98 per hour.
• What are the penalties for violating minimum wage requirements in Florida? Employers who intentionally violate minimum wage requirements may be fined $1,000.00 per violation.

Information Source Links

• Florida Minimum Wage
• Tipped Employees
• Minimum Wage Exemptions
• Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association
• Workstream
• U.S. Department of Labor
• Table of minimum wage by state
• Historical Table
• National Conference of State Legislatures

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