I think we can all agree on one thing: the teenage workforce is important not only to the teens but to Missouri. We need to work toward creating an environment where every young person who wants to work has the opportunity.
As of January 1, 2026, Missouri's minimum wage will be $15 per hour. But when it comes to raising the minimum wage for teenagers, we need to slow down. We have to look at the real-world consequences of raising their starting wages. Good intentions don’t always lead to good results.
In this case, raising wages for teens could actually hurt the very young people we're trying to help.
That's why I filed SB 1325. It allows the minimum wage for adults to increase, while keeping the minimum wage for minors at $12.30 or the federal prevailing wage, whichever is higher.
Teen jobs are different
For many young people, a part-time job is their first step into the workforce. These are entry-level positions that require training, supervision, and patience from employers.
Teens aren't being hired because they already have years of experience. They're being hired so they can gain it.
When the cost of hiring an entry-level worker goes up too high, employers don’t just absorb the cost. They adjust. And we're already seeing that happen.
In the Kansas City area, some businesses are cutting their teenage workforce by 25 percent or more. When tough decisions have to be made, teen workers are often the first to lose hours or lose jobs altogether. That means fewer opportunities for young people to learn responsibility, build skills, and earn their own money.
The long-term impact matters
A higher hourly wage doesn't help a teenager who can't find a job. Work experience teaches things a classroom can't. Pricing teens out of the workforce today creates bigger problems tomorrow.
It's also important to keep Missouri in perspective. Our state's minimum wage is already about $4.30 higher than many other Midwestern states. At $12.30 an hour, Missouri teens are already earning more than teens in surrounding states and only $2.70 less than adults would earn at a $15 minimum wage. That's a reasonable balance for entry-level work.
Here are current minimum wage rates for 16 mid-western states:
$7.25 - Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Arkansas, Iowa, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Wisconsin, North Dakota
$11.00 - Arkansas
$11.13 - Minnesota
$11.50 - South Dakota
$12.48 - Michigan
$13.50 - Nebraska
$15.00 - Illinois
$12.30 per hour is a fair starting wage for a 16 or 17 year old. As they gain experience and skills, employers can reward them with pay increases, with the $15 per hour mandate starting at age 18.
Most Missouri Businesses Already Pay $15 or More
While specific data on the percentage of businesses is unavailable, estimates on the workforce in Missouri indicate that approximately 75% of workers in Missouri are already paying $15 per hour or more. This suggests that the majority of businesses pay above the minimum threshold to remain competitive and retain employees.
Nothing in this legislation stops an employer from paying a teen more if they choose to. It simply gives businesses the flexibility to decide how to run their operations and how to reward hard work.
Protecting teen jobs today protects Missouri's workforce tomorrow. We can raise wages for adults while still making sure young people have a foot in the door.
This approach is practical, balanced, and focused on long-term success.
