Virginia minimum wage increases May 1

Virginia’s minimum wage will increase from $7.25 to $9.50 per hour effective May 1, 2021.

This is part of a series of scheduled minimum wage increases brought about by legislation passed by the Virginia General Assembly in 2020. The legislation raises the state minimum wage to $15.00 per hour by 2026 as well as eliminates various minimum wage exemptions like small employers, nannies, and piece-rate workers.

Tipped wages continue to follow the state minimum cash wage payment under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act at $2.13 per hour. However, “tipped employees” in Virginia are considered employees who regularly receive over $30.00 per month in tips.

Disclaimer: The information contained herein is not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. Employers should closely monitor the rules and regulations specific to their jurisdiction(s) and should seek advice from counsel relative to their rights and responsibilities.

By Megan Butz
General Counsel, HR Compliance, Checkwriters
Megan joined Checkwriters in 2020 and is responsible for reviewing, revising, and implementing internal policies of the company, advising on human resource, employment, and labor matters, and monitoring and publishing state and federal legal updates to the Checkwriters News and Compliance Center for distribution to thousands of clients around the country. Before joining Checkwriters, Megan served as a judicial law clerk for the justices of the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court performing legal research and writing, followed by private practice in Cape Cod.

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