Connecticut Minimum Wage to Increase January 1, 2015

Effective January 1, 2015 the Connecticut minimum wage will increase to $9.15 from the current $8.70 per hour.  Further increases will bring the rate to $9.60 on January 1, 2016, and to $10.10 on January 1, 2017. Public Act 14-1.  The Act also changes the tip credit for hotel and wait staff to $5.78 for 2015, $6.07 for 2016, and $6.38 for 2017, from the current $5.69.  For bartenders, the tip credit will move to $7.46, $7.82, and $8.23 in each respective year from the current $7.34. Therefore, hotel, wait staff, and bartenders will not see an increase in earnings comparable to non-tipped employees, unless patrons increase their tipping habits.

Learners, beginners and people under 18 may be paid 85% of the minimum wage for the first 200 hours of their employment, or $7.78, $8.16 and $8.59 in each respective year.