Hundreds of Southland fast-food workers, along with home-care, child-care USC faculty and industrial workers, took part in marches and rallies in South Los Angeles and downtown today as part of a national campaign calling for $15-an-hour wages. Similar marches and rallies are being held across the country as part of a National Day of Action in the ``Fight for $15.'' Organizers said rallies were also being held in 30 countries. Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

WASHINGTON, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Workers in 14 states will see a boost in their paychecks going forward with laws that went into effect on January 1.

The largest of the raises will take place in Alaska, California, Massachusetts and Nebraska -- each nudging the minimum wage by $1 an hour. New York's minimum wage will be raised from $8.75 to $9.00 across the board, but fast food workers will receive $10.50 in New York City and $9.75 in other parts of the state.


In addition to the New Year's day increases, Washington D.C., Maryland, Minnesota and Nevada have all passed legislation that will raise minimum wage later this year

According to a report by the National Employment Law Project, 14 states would see increases to the minimum wage effective on or around Jan. 1. Wage increases range from 5 cents to $1 across the various states.

"We've seen incredible momentum this past year in the fight to raise wages to a level that will make a meaningful difference to America's workers and their families," National Employment Law Project executive director Christie Owens said.

Some of these increases represent a gradual movement toward a $15 minimum wage. States that include New York and California plan to have a $15-an-hour wage statewide by 2021.