Senator Dan Laughlin, a Republican of Erie, is launching a new effort to raise the hourly minimum wage in the state of Pennsylvania.
Senator Laughlin’s soon-to-be introduced legislation would implement an increase in the state’s minimum hourly wage to $11 per hour.
The implementation of the wage raise would take place in three steps, should the bill pass both chambers of the legislature and be signed into law by Governor Shapiro.
Effective January 1st, 2026, the bill would implement an increase to $9 per hour as the state’s minimum wage.
The second step takes place January 1st, 2027 and raises the minimum wage to $10 per hour. Effective January 1st, 2028 the final step would raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to $11 per hour.
The Commonwealth’s minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage.
Neighboring states including New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland all have higher minimum wages in place for residents.
“This legislation is about catching up. Most employers in Pennsylvania are already paying above minimum wage because they have to in order to attract workers. It’s time the law reflects that reality,” said Senator Laughlin.
The minimum wage in Pennsylvania has not been increased since 2008.
“Raising the minimum wage is not just about fairness. It’s also an economic necessity. It helps reduce dependence on public assistance, boosts consumer spending and strengthens local economies,” Laughlin continued.
Two years ago, Laughlin introduced similar legislation in the House that would have raised the minimum wage to $15 per hour beginning in 2026.
His current proposal is a phased approach that aims to keep Pennsylvania competitive and aid residents with the increasing cost of living.
