Minimum Wage Goes Up in More than 20 States on January 1, 2015

The minimum wage is going up in 21 states and Washington D.C. January 1st.

Lawmakers in several states have voted to increase minimum wage. States like Alaska, South Dakota, Nebraska, Arkansas and many others have voted for pay bumps. City leaders in Seattle and Oakland are also boosting pay.

David Cooper, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute tells CNN Money: 

"We've seen a historic number of states increasing their minimum wages,"  "People's understanding of where the wage floor should be has changed a lot, and in part caused by strikes and protests."

In 2015, a majority of states -- 29 -- will have a higher minimum wage than the federal wage, which is $7.25 an hour.

These increases could prompt Congress to raise the federal minimum wage, but so far, that hasn't happened.

Check out the minimum wage, state by state.

You'll find the biggest increases in Seattle and San Francisco where the minimum wage jumps to $15 an hour. Wages in San Diego jump from $9 to $9.75 an hour.

The debate next year will focus on how these cities are impacted by the wage increases. Critics say it will take away jobs while advocates argue that workers will be able to spend more money.

"It certainly has been a long time since we've seen a big day like this," says Chris Tilly, a wage expert and professor at University of California, Los Angeles. "People are concerned about inequality. This is a reform that targets inequality."

Arkansas' new minimum wage will be $8.05. No change in Texas, Oklahoma or Mississippi.