Contact: Blake Case
blake@emccommunications.com, 601-832-6079

Sept. 17, 2026—On Sept. 30, Florida’s minimum wage will reach the milestone of $15 an hour, which voters approved with the passage of Amendment 2 in 2020. Business owners are welcoming the raise, saying it will boost consumer spending, improve employee retention and customer service, and strengthen the economy.

Danielle Ferrari, owner of Valhalla Resale in Tampa:
“We’re excited to see the minimum wage increase to $15 an hour that small businesses and voters supported. Keeping money flowing throughout our community, as workers have more income to spend at local businesses, helps everyone. Paying fair wages is good business. Our business is doing really well and raising the minimum wage will benefit Florida’s people and businesses.”

Satchel Raye, owner of Satchel’s Pizza in Gainesville:
“We’re breaking records, giving raises, and hiring. We have a good product that people want and a friendly place where people want to be. Customers appreciate that we pay employees good wages and offer benefits. Raising the state minimum wage to $15 will give a needed boost to workers and businesses across Florida.”

Leigh Anne Balzekas, co-owner of The Disco Dolls Studio, a clothing store, hair salon and art gallery in Tampa:
“Employees who are paid fairly are better employees and workers with more money to spend are better customers. We don’t have the costly and distracting high turnover often found in retail and service businesses. We have great customer service. When our employees are happy, our customers are happy. We hope the minimum wage increase uplifts wages all over Florida.”

Richard Nesbit, owner of Alta Systems, a printing and mailing company in Gainesville:
“Investing in employees is the surest way to grow a thriving business and customer base and sustain it in the face of economic headwinds. We combine industry leading technology with excellent, personalized customer service that drives repeat business. Poverty wages are terrible for workers, businesses and communities. Increasing the minimum wage is an essential investment in Florida’s workforce and economy.”

Florida voters showed strong support for gradually raising the state minimum wage to $15 by 2026 through Amendment 2, which required a supermajority of more than 60% in favor to pass. Business owners and executives across the state came together in the Florida Business for a Fair Minimum Wage coalition to advocate in support of the raise. Florida’s minimum wage will increase in future years based on increases in the cost of living. 

Florida joins Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Missouri and Nebraska as states reaching a minimum wage of at least $15 for the first time in 2026. 21 states plus D.C. have a minimum wage of $15 or higher, or are phasing in increases to $15 or higher: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Virginia and Washington State. Washington has the highest current state minimum wage at $17.13 as of Jan. 1, 2026.

To speak with these and other Florida business owners supportive of raising the minimum wage, please contact Blake Case at blake@emccommunications.com or (601) 832-6079.

### 

Business for a Fair Minimum Wage is a national network of business owners and executives and business organizations that believe fair pay makes good business sense. www.businessforafairminimumwage.org.