Governor Ned Lamont recently announced that, commencing on January 1, 2024, Connecticut’s minimum wage of $15.00 will increase to $15.69 an hour. This marks the state’s inaugural economic indicator-driven minimum wage increase.
This adjustment is mandated by state law, Public Act 19-4. Public Act 19-4 introduced a series of five incremental minimum wage hikes spanning from 2019 to 2023. Starting on January 2024, it provides for annual adjustments linked to the percentage change in the federal employment cost index. Connecticut’s minimum wage will be recalibrated according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s calculation of the employment cost index, covering the twelve-month period culminating on June 30 of the preceding year. The law stipulates that the Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Labor must review this percentage change and officially announce any adjustments by October 15 of each preceding year. These minimum wage alterations will then take effect on the following January 1.
Connecticut Labor Commissioner Danté Bartolomeo reported the employment cost index experienced a 4.6% increase during the twelve-month period ending on June 30, 2023. This uptick accounts for the forthcoming $0.69 raise in the state’s minimum wage, which will come into effect on January 1, 2024.