A wave of minimum wage increases is surging through nearly 20 states, but in Texas the wage stagnates.
For millions of Americans, the New Year brought the promise of growing paychecks amid a time of growing costs. Nineteen states — both Democratic and Republican majorities — are boosting their minimum wage from the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour.
The surge in wage is “critical for improving affordability,” according to the Economic Policy Institute. This increase, which went into effect on Jan. 1, will aid 8.3 million workers, the progressive think tank said. The economic impact will total $5 billion in increased wages.
But since the federal minimum wage was set in 2009, Texans have been on the lowest end of the spectrum, receiving the minimum of $7.25 per hour.
In Oklahoma, voting in 2026 could boost the minimum wage to a minimum of $15. While the state borders Texas, the Lone Star State is not likely to follow suit.
Citizen-led initiatives are allowed in Texas at a local level when issues do not collide with state or federal law. Though cities like Dallas and Fort Worth pay workers more than the federal minimum, Texas cities and counties do not have the power to set their own minimum wage.
For San Antonians, like many residents in Texas, the minimum wage is $7.25.
In December, the unionized employees of the Grand Hyatt and Hyatt Regency were the first hotel workers in the Alamo City to secure a minimum wage of $20 per hour. Prior to the raise, the minimum was $17 per hour.
“This contract is a huge victory,” union representative Willy Gonzalez said.
The union represents more than 1,000 Grand Hyatt San Antonio River Walk employees, including a single mother who had been struggling to pay bills and buy basic necessities. She told the San Antonio Express-News that the new contract would help her handle the costs.
“With the wage increases, I’ll be able to actually save and not have to worry so much every month about all of my expenses,” she said.
This is the first time that states with workers earning wages of a minimum of $15 per hour exceed the amount of states paying workers $7.25 per hour. There are 30 states where the minimum wage surpasses the federal minimum.
