10 states increase minimum wage

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NEW YORK, Jan. 3 (UPI) -- A national agency said an estimated 1 million Americans are getting a pay raise as 10 states have raised their minimum wages as of Jan. 1.

The National Employment Law Project said the pay gains for the workers will range from an extra $190 to $510 per year.

The Christian Science Monitor said the increases are coming in nine states that adjust the minimum wage for inflation, as well as Rhode Island, where legislation passed last year set a higher minimum wage.

The newspaper said that more than two-thirds of the affected workers are over age 20 and work 20 hours a week or more.

Minimum pay will rise in Arizona, California, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Ohio, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.

Washington state has the nation's highest statewide minimum wage at $9.19 an hour, the Monitor reported. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.