Spanberger signs bills to raise minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2028

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Some Virginia workers may soon be getting a raise.

That’s because Governor Abigail Spanberger has signed bills to incrementally increase Virginia’s minimum wage.

Per the legislation, Virginia’s minimum wage, which currently sits at $12.77 an hour, will rise to $13.75 an hour on Jan. 1, 2027, and will rise again to $15 an hour on Jan. 1, 2028.

In a statement after signing several bills, including those on minimum wage, Spanberger said in part, “Today, we are putting more money in the pockets of Virginia workers”

“If you work full time in Virginia, you should be able to afford to live in Virginia. You should be able to keep up with your rent or mortgage, fill your medications, and save for your kids’ futures,” Spanberger added. 

However, Republican Delegate Mike Cherry (R-Colonial Heights) said he has concerns that raising the minimum wage could lead to inflation and/or people losing their jobs. 

“If you can pay a machine, buy it one time and it takes your order at McDonalds, when you don’t have an ongoing cost to the individual that would have that job otherwise, I think that’s exactly the outcome that’s gonna happen, is you’re gonna increase inflation, increase cost, and lower the jobs that are available as companies automate positions that would normally be filled by us,” Cherry told 8News. 

In addition, Cherry said considering lawmakers haven’t finalized a budget yet, he’s uneasy about the governor telling localities they have to pay their employees more, with localities still unsure about how much money they’ll get from the state to help with their own budgets. 

After 2028, Virginia’s minimum wage will continue to rise with inflation.