Assembly Democrats have introduced a bill to raise the minimum wage to $15-an-hour. However, the demand for workers by some Wisconsin businesses, including those in Door and Kewaunee Counties, is already pushing starting wages above the $7.25 per hour minimum set in 2009. Such demand is expected to help raise entry-level wages further. Jim Golembeski, Executive Director of the Bay Area Workforce Development Board, says employers who are unable to find qualified workers and a key demographic in the workforce will likely require compensation that exceeds the state and federal minimum wage.
American Family Insurance of Madison increased its' minimum wage to $20-an-hour on January 1st. The Republican-controlled legislature last year defeated a bill that would adopt a $15-an-hour starting wage. Currently only Georgia and Wyoming pay lower starting wages than Wisconsin.