LAUREL, Del. - Workers here on Delmarva can bring in the new year with some extra cash. That's because the minimum wage will increase on January 1.
Delaware will increase the minimum wage to $10.50, Maryland will rise to $12.50, and Virginia will go to $11.00. Some workers are looking forward to the extra money coming in.
Ed Martin works at an antique shop in laurel and has been in the workforce for 44 years.
"I think that the minimum wage has to go up because everything is getting more expensive; therefore, it's time. I think with everything going on with the pandemic, I think minimum wage going up will help a lot of people. It gives people a little bit more money in their pocket at the end of the day and that helps," says Martin.
Ashley Brittingham works at the Laurel Junction Flea Market. Brittingham agrees that the raise will be a good thing.
"A lot of people don't have access to education around here like college and everything. So all we have around Delmarva here are retail, restaurants, stuff like that. I believe we all do need higher wages because most people work these jobs day to day as their careers," says Brittingham.
However, others on Delmarva are staying cautious, especially as prices are already on the rise from strain on the supply chain.
"I feel like it's great that people are going to have the opportunity to make more money. I just hope it doesn't hurt businesses where they'll have to raise prices higher for people to have to spend more money to make more money," says Crista Holland.
Many people on Delmarva say the pandemic brought awareness and appreciation for hourly workers and their wages.
The three state's minimum wages are set to gradually increase. Delaware is set to increase to $15 by 2025, while Maryland and Virginia are set to reach $15 in 2026.