Michigan’s Minimum Wage Increases on January 1 AND February 21

Brace yourselves, Michigan. Grab your calculators and tip jars because 2025 is going to be an interesting year for the state minimum wage, its recipients, payers, and users of the goods or services provided by those earning it. Get ready for not one but two minimum wage increases in less than two months, which will increase the hourly rate by more than 20%.

RELATED: Bye-Bye Bargains: Discount Retailer Closing Every Michigan Store

According to the state's Bureau of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Michigan's current minimum wage is $10.33 per hour, increasing to $10.56 as of January 1, 2025. I know a whopping $0.23 per 60 minutes doesn't sound like much of a raise, but that all changes as of February 21, when it will increase to $12.48. But it doesn't stop there; this is all part of a lengthy plan to get the state's minimum wage to nearly $15 an hour by 2028.

 Michigan's Minimum Wage Increase By Year

Michigan hourly employees and employers will continue to see yearly increases through 2028. Here's the timeline according to Click on Detroit:

• February 21, 2025
  • Minimum wage: $12.48
  • Tipped wage: $5.99
• February 21, 2026
  • Minimum wage: $13.29
  • Tipped wage: $7.97
• February 21, 2027
  • Minimum wage: $14.16
  • Tipped wage: $9.91
• February 21, 2028
  • Minimum wage: $14.97
  • Tipped wage: $11.98

The state treasurer will adjust the rate annually starting in October 2028 to match inflation—at least, that's the plan.

What About Michigan's Tipped Workers?

As you can see, traditional hourly earners in Michigan aren't the only ones getting a bonus in 2025. On February 21, 2025, the rate for tipped employees in the state will increase to $5.99. Michigan's goal is to eliminate tipped wages by February 2030 and have all hourly workers over 18 earn the same salary, regardless of whether or not they receive tips.

This wage hike isn't about a random act of kindness. It comes from a Michigan Supreme Court ruling declaring it unconstitutional for legislators to adopt and gut voter-led initiatives. To put it plainly, over 280,000 signatures demanded these changes in 2018, and all these years later, they are finally being implemented.

RELATED: Walmart May Make Body Cams Part of the Uniform in Michigan

So whether you're flipping burgers or filing papers in Michigan, the future might be a little brighter—or at least worth a few extra bucks.