A new citywide minimum wage took effect in St. Paul on Saturday.
The long-scheduled wage rate increases apply to large, small and “micro” businesses, including all private employers.
As of Saturday, large employers in St. Paul — those spanning 101 to 10,000 workers — must pay employees at least $15 per hour. Smaller businesses of six to 100 workers must pay at least $13 per hour. And micro businesses of five employees or less must pay at least $11.50 per hour.
On Jan. 1, a minimum wage increase to $15.19 took effect for “macro” businesses of more than 10,000 employees.
To determine the size of a business, employers must count all employees, whether employed full-time, part-time, jointly with another employer or on a temporary basis, including employees not located in the city, according to a statement from the mayor’s office.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter signed the citywide minimum wage ordinance into law on Nov. 14, 2018 , raising the minimum wage for businesses beginning in 2020. Wage rates increase annually , depending upon business size, and are enforced by the city’s Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, or $2.13 for workers who receive tips. As of Jan. 1, the state of Minnesota mandates a minimum wage of $10.59 per hour for large employers and $8.63 for small employers.