8 Industries Where Labor Costs Are Least Impacted by Minimum Wage Hike

In the wake of President Barack Obama’s demand to raise the federal minimum wage from its current $7.25 per hour rate to $10.10 per hour, public scrutiny has fallen upon which industries already pay below that increased number and which industries already pay more than $10.10 per hour.

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Thus, here are 8 companies within industries where labor costs would be least affected by the proposed minimum wage hike:

1. Aetna
Aetna, a health care benefits provider, raised its hourly minimum wage to $16 per hour at an 11 percent increase for its workers, according to MSN.

2. Ben & Jerry’s
This popular ice cream chain offers its employees a starting salary of $15.97 per hour – an amount that is double the current federal minimum wage, according to the Huffington Post. 

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3. Costco Wholesale
Although this membership warehouse offers a starting pay salary at $11.50 per hour for its employees, the average pay rate for most of its employees is $21 per hour, according to the Huffington Post. 

4. Gap, Inc.
Gap, the clothing and retail store behind Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Piperlime, announced that it would raise its minimum wage to $10 per hour in 2015, according to the New York Post. 

5. IKEA
This Swedish-founded international furniture and appliance company administers a $10.79 minimum wage to its employees based upon the living wage calculation for U.S. locations, according to MarketWatch. 

6. Bloomingdale’s
A Sales Associate position at Bloomingdale’s offers an hourly minimum wage of $13.38, according to the Business Insider. 

7. H&M
At this Swedish-based international retail clothing company, a Sales Associate position offers employees a $10.20 hourly pay rate, according to the Business Insider. 

8. In-N-Out Burger
This West coast burger chain offers $10.50 per hour starting wages for its employees, as well as paid vacations and 401(k) plans, according to The Street. 

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