Minimum wage hikes approved in four states

Retailers and other employers of minimum-wage earners can expect to see their labor costs go up in four states.



Voters in the states of Colorado, Maine, Washington, and Arizona all approved measures to raise their state’s minimum wage in Tuesday’s election.



The biggest hike will be in Maine, where the minimum hourly pay will increase from $7.50 to $12 by 2020, and later increasing with inflation.



In addition, the minimum wage for tipped workers in Maine will increase to $5 an hour, with $1 increase until their earnings equal the general minimum wage by 2024.



Voters in the state of Washington approved a measure whereby the minimum wage will increase from $9.47 to $13.50 by 2020. What’s more, employers will now be required to provide them with one hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked.



In Colorado, the minimum wage will increase the minimum wage from $8.31 to $12 by 2020. And in Arizona, voters approved Proposition 206 , which will increase the state's minimum wage per hour (currently $8.05) in increments over the next four years until it hits $$12 in 2020. The measure also requires employers to provide paid sick time.