COLUMBIA — On Jan. 1, 2024, the minimum wage in Missouri increased to $12.30 an hour.
Missourians endorsed a ballot measure in 2018 that increased the minimum wage each year until it reached $12 per hour in 2023. The measure, called Proposition B, says the minimum wage can increase or decrease each year now based on cost-of-living changes in the Consumer Price Index.
Missouri’s minimum wage history includes several changes over the years.
Missouri’s minimum wage history, via the Missouri Department of Labor
Missouri’s minimum wage began rising in 2016 from $7.65 an hour and reached $7.85 in 2018. Following the approval of Proposition B, the minimum wage rose from $8.60 to $9.45 in 2020 and kept rising by 85 cents per year through 2023.
Tim Church, general manager at Tacos 4 Life, said the increase this year won’t impact the business.
“We currently pay introductory wages,” Church said. “Higher than minimum wage.”
He said the restaurants retention rate is strong.
“Of course we’re always looking for good quality workers,” Church said. “Our wages I think help draw people in when we advertise that we have openings.”
Church said in his industry, paying employees over the minimum wage is the new normal.
“I think most people are paying a little bit over minimum wage.”
According to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, Missouri had the sixth lowest cost of living in the United States for the third quarter of 2023, while the state sits slightly above the average minimum wage in the U.S.
Missouri’s minimum wage differs from its state neighbors. In Illinois, the minimum wage is $14 per hour. And in Kansas, the minimum wage rate is the same as the federal minimum wage rate: $7.25.