Missouri to raise minimum wage in 2023

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

In 2023, some Missourians will see another pay increase to $12 per hour.

It was set to be raised after 60% of Missouri’s voters passed Proposition B in November 2018. The current minimum wage in Missouri is $11.15 per hour.

Tipped employees get paid half of the minimum wage. However, the employer is required to pay the difference so that the tipped employee is paid minimum wage if the employee doesn't account for the other half in their tips, according to the state.

When the 2018 wage increase went into effect in 2019, increasing wages to $8.60 from $7.85 per hour, then-Columbia Mayor Brian Treece said increasing the minimum wage would be beneficial for the city of Columbia and the state.

“This is great for our economy. No one is getting rich on $8.60 an hour, but what it does do is put more money back into the economy,” Treece said.

The wage rule only applies to services or retail businesses whose annual gross income is more $500,000. Businesses that are not subject to the rule can pay what they like according to the state.

Skip Du’Charme -- who has owned Lakota Coffee in Columbia for about 30 years --said his business has been preparing for the wage increase.

"We’ve had plenty of time to get ready for it and adjust to it. Unfortunately, it gets passed on to the customers. Our prices of raw coffee and whatever else we bring into the store is also going up so we have to make adjustments for that, "Ducharme said. "When I opened 30 years ago, I think minimum wage was $3.30."
Jennifer Connell -- an assistant manager at Bubble Cup Tea Zone in Columbia -- feels the company is fair and new employees in lower positions start at $13 an hour.

"So far everything has been very very fair here. I would prefer working here, that's fair, then out there where I'm gonna have to work harder and not make that much," Connell said.