Arizona voters enacted the Raise the Minimum Wage for Working Arizonans Act in 2006. That voter initiative established an Arizona minimum wage and provided for an annual increase based on the increase in the cost of living.
The cost of living is based on the federal Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), U.S. City Average for all items during the 12 months ending each Aug.31 (CPI-U). The CPI-U is a national index covering the cost of goods and services. The CPI-U increased 1.7 percent comparing August 2011 to August 2012.
At a public meeting held on Oct. 17, 2012, the Industrial Commission of Arizona determined that Arizona’s minimum wage of $7.65 per hour would be increased by $0.15 to $7.80 for calendar year 2013.