Details on House Bill 1549
This bill would increase the minimum wage as follows:
Rep. Melissa Cerrato June 13, 2025 | 9:34 AM
• In the county of the first class
o $15 per hour beginning January 1, 2026.
o On January 1, 2029, the minimum wage will receive an annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) that is tied to the Consumer Price Index for Urban Consumers (CPI-U) for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
• In counties of the second, second A, third class, fourth class with populations between 157,000-159,000 (Centre) and 168,250-168,400 (Monroe), and sixth class with populations between 57,000-59,000 (Pike):
o $12 per hour beginning January 1, 2026.
o $13 per hour beginning January 1, 2027.
o $15 per hour beginning January 1, 2028.
o On January 1, 2029, the minimum wage will receive an annual COLA tied to the CPI-U for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
• In all other counties:
o $10 per hour beginning January 1, 2026.
o $11 per hour beginning January 1, 2027.
o $12 per hour beginning January 1, 2028.
o On January 1, 2029, the minimum wage will receive an annual COLA tied to the CPI-U for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland.
The minimum wage for tipped employees will be set at 60% of the minimum wage for the applicable county class.
Removes Section 5(c), which if left in the Act, would permit employers with 10 or fewer employees to pay employees less than the applicable regional minimum wage, but at least the Federal minimum wage.