Sometimes its hard to tell that its the holidays in Florida with no snow on the ground or chill in the air.  But the end of the year means its time for Florida employers to pay attention to the new 2019 Florida minimum wage. As of January 1, 2019, Florida’s minimum wage will rise from the current rate of $8.25 per hour to $8.46.

Under Florida Statute § 448.110 4(a) and (b), the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity must calculate Florida’s minimum wage based upon the increase, if any, in the Federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Earners and Clerical Workers in the southern region. Based upon this year’s calculation, Florida’s new minimum wage for 2019 is $8.46 per hour.

Employers of tipped employees, who meet eligibility requirements for the tip credit under the Fair Labor Standards Act, may count tips actually received as wages under the Florida minimum wage. However, the employer must pay tipped employees a direct wage. The direct wage is calculated as equal to the minimum wage, $8.46 minus the tip credit for Florida, $3.02, or a direct hourly wage of $5.44 as of January 1, 2019.

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