Michigan's Mothering Justice ruling (July 2024) restored the voter-approved minimum wage path, lifting Wayne County's floor from $10.33 to $12.48 in February 2026 with phased increases reaching about $15 by 2028. Local minimum wage preemption (MCL §408.934) blocks cities from setting higher floors.
Michigan Supreme Court's Mothering Justice v. Nessel (2024) struck down the legislature's 2018 adopt-and-amend strategy, restoring the Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act ballot initiative schedule. The minimum wage rose to $12.48 in February 2026 and continues escalating annually toward roughly $14.97 by 2028. Tipped wages, historically 38 percent of standard, are climbing toward 100 percent parity. Wayne County employers cannot pay less, but local cities are preempted from setting higher minimums under MCL §408.934. Federal contractors at DTW follow $17.20 federal contractor wage. Subminimum wages for workers with disabilities remain phasing out.
Minimum wage violations create double-damages liability under MCL §408.934a plus attorney fees. State Wage and Hour Division can audit and assess back wages with interest.
See how Dearborn's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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