Pros and Cons of Raising the Minimum Wage

Raising the minimum wage has many advantages for both workers and businesses. However, there are also some drawbacks.

The disadvantages of raising the minimum wage include lower employment opportunities for younger workers, decreased spending power for low-income households, and increased costs for businesses. It’s important to understand the pros and cons of this issue before deciding on a solution.

If the minimum wage is raised, some employers will be forced to reduce jobs, or increase prices to offset the increased costs. Businesses may even outsource some work to other countries, leading to fewer jobs for American workers.

Many economists agree that labor is one of the most expensive costs for doing business. In addition, labor has a direct effect on the cost of living. Higher wages would allow people to spend more money, increasing the demand for goods and services.

Minimum wage job positions typically require employees with limited skills and experience. For this reason, higher pay can boost employee morale, which can translate to fewer hiring, training, and turnover expenses.

Some small businesses will likely experience higher operating costs, while other businesses will have to decrease staffing to remain profitable. Restaurants, for example, may have to lay off staff or raise prices to compensate for the extra labor costs.

Economists estimate that a ten percent increase in the minimum wage will cut restaurant employment by 1% to 3%. That means that restaurants that are running at a profit margin of 3 to 5 will have to cut staff.