Missouri is one of 21 states where the minimum wage will increase with the start of the new year.

The 15-cent increase to $7.65 marks the fourth straight year that the minimum has gone up.

All businesses are required to pay the new rate, except retail and service employers whose annual gross sales are less than a half million dollars. There are also some agriculture industry employees who are not covered by the new guidelines.

The new rate in Missouri will be higher than the national minimum wage of $7.25.

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