While a higher floor for pay is a powerful tool for improving the lot of the least-skilled workers, some economists worry it could result in slower job creation or cuts as employers confront higher labor costs.

States With the Biggest Raises for Low-Wage Workers

Nineteen states raised their minimum wage in 2017, with increases as substantial as $1.95 more an hour in Arizona. However, the raises in most states amounted to less than a dollar an hour — 10 cents an hour or less in seven states.

These small raises are linked to the inflation rate, which has been subdued. All the increases occurred in states that already had a minimum wage higher than the federal level.

State minimum wage increases effective January 1, 2017 $1.50 $1.53 $0.40 $0.10 $0.40 $1.00 $0.70 $0.10 $0.50 $0.06 $0.05 $0.99 $0.05 $0.50 $1.95 $0.50 $0.05 $0.05 $0.75 Increases in italic occurred because the minimum wage is tied to inflation. All shaded states have a minimum wage greater than the $7.25 federal minimum. State minimum wage increases effective January 1, 2017 Me. $1.50 Wash. $1.53 Vt. $0.40 Mont. $0.10 Mich. $0.40 Mass. $1.00 N.Y. $0.70 Conn. $0.50 S.D. $0.10 N.J. $0.06 Ohio $0.05 Colo. $0.99 Mo. $0.05 Calif. $0.50 Ariz. $1.95 Ark. $0.50 Fla. $0.05 Alaska $0.05 Hawaii $0.75 Increases in italic occurred because the minimum wage is tied to inflation. All shaded states have a minimum wage greater than the $7.25 federal minimum. State minimum wage increases effective January 1, 2017 Me. $1.50 Wash. $1.53 Vt. $0.40 Mont. $0.10 Mich. $0.40 Mass. $1.00 N.Y. $0.70 Conn. $0.50 S.D. $0.10 N.J. $0.06 Ohio $0.05 Colo. $0.99 Mo. $0.05 Calif. $0.50 Ariz. $1.95 Ark. $0.50 Fla. $0.05 Alaska $0.05 Hawaii $0.75 Increases in italic occurred because the minimum wage is tied to inflation. All shaded states have a minimum wage greater than the $7.25 federal minimum. The New York Times | Source: Economic Policy Institute | Note: New York’s minimum went into effect on Dec. 31, 2016.

Where More Workers Will Get a Raise

In states with higher proportions of workers in low-wage jobs, the minimum-wage increase will have an effect.

Share of workers getting a raise Directly affected workers as a share of state’s wage-earning workforce 7% 11% 3% 3% 5% 9% 6% 2% 8% 2% 3% 6% 1% 11% 12% 5% 2% 2% 5% Total increase in annual wages per worker Maine $1,492 Ariz. $1,976 Wash. $1,903 Mass. $1,261 Colo. $1,136 N.Y. $919 Calif. $859 Ark. $719 Mich. $604 N.J. $405 Hawaii $801 Vt. $674 Conn. $509 S.D. $316 Mont. $244 Mo. $229 Fla. $207 Ohio $160 Alaska $327 Share of workers getting a raise Directly affected workers as a share of state’s wage-earning workforce Me. 7% Wash. 11% Vt. 3% Mont. 3% Mich. 5% Mass. 9% N.Y. 6% S.D. 2% Conn. 8% N.J. 2% Ohio 3% Colo. 6% Mo. 1% Calif. 11% Ariz. 12% Ark. 5% Alaska 2% Fla. 2% Hawaii 5% Total increase in annual wages per worker Ariz. $1,976 Wash. $1,903 Maine $1,492 Mass. $1,261 Colo. $1,136 N.Y. $919 Calif. $859 Hawaii $801 Vt. $674 Ark. $719 Conn. $509 Alaska $327 S.D. $316 Mont. $244 Mich. $604 N.J. $405 Mo. $229 Fla. $207 Ohio $160 Share of workers getting a raise Directly affected workers as a share of state’s wage-earning workforce Me. 7% Wash. 11% Vt. 3% Mont. 3% Mich. 5% Mass. 9% N.Y. 6% S.D. 2% Conn. 8% N.J. 2% Ohio 3% Colo. 6% Mo. 1% Calif. 11% Ariz. 12% Ark. 5% Alaska 2% Fla. 2% Hawaii 5% Total increase in annual wages per worker Ariz. $1,976 Wash. $1,903 Maine $1,492 Mass. $1,261 Colo. $1,136 N.Y. $919 Calif. $859 Hawaii $801 Vt. $674 Ark. $719 Conn. $509 Alaska $327 S.D. $316 Mont. $244 Mich. $604 N.J. $405 Mo. $229 Fla. $207 Ohio $160 The New York Times | Source: Economic Policy Institute | Note: Directly affected workers will see their wages rise because the new minimum-wage rate exceeds their current hourly pay. This does not include additional workers who may see an increase through “spillover” effects, as employers adjust overall pay scales.

Bringing Some States Closer to Their Goals

The raises in some states are annual incremental increases that will continue over the next few years, while other states have reached their targets.

And the minimum wage in 19 states will rise annually based on formulas tied to inflation.