University adjusts pay for student and temporary workers as part of the state’s annual wage increase plan.
Samantha Espinosa | Contributing Writer
Student workers at FIU say they’ve noticed the recent statewide minimum wage increase, with FIU implementing the $14 hourly rate on schedule as of September 30th.
On Sept. 30, 2025, Florida’s minimum wage rose to $14 an hour as part of a statewide plan approved by voters in 2020 to raise the rate by $1 annually until it reaches $15.
Under the constitutional amendment, Florida’s minimum wage increases by $1 every September 30 until it reaches $15 per hour on September 30, 2026, at which point annual inflation-based adjustments will resume. As of 2025, the basic minimum wage is $14 per hour, while tipped employees must earn at least $10.98 per hour in addition to tips.
FIU has adjusted the pay for all temporary and student staff in compliance with the change, according to the Division of Marketing and Strategic Communications.
Madeline Baró, FIU’s senior director of media relations, confirmed that temporary and student workers at FIU had their compensation adjusted to at least $14 an hour as of Sept. 30.
Baró said, “The university does not anticipate major challenges from the increase, though hiring decisions remain decentralized. Each college and department determines how the change affects student employment opportunities.”
To understand how the wage increase is being felt across campus, PantherNOW spoke with student employees.
Sofia Rodriguez, a marketing intern with Panther Dining, said she’s already noticed the change and praised FIU for its proactive approach to wage adjustments.
“FIU has always been on top of the pay increase,” Rodriguez said. “They increased it by a dollar last year as well, and there’s never been any issues.”
Her experience highlights FIU’s consistency in updating pay rates and ensuring student workers benefit from statewide wage increases.
For a part-time student worker earning minimum wage and working 20 hours per week, the increase amounts to approximately $20 more per week or $80 additional per month. This increase can help with rising costs for textbooks, transportation, and daily expenses.
As FIU continues to adapt to higher wage standards, university officials say no significant challenges are expected. For student workers, the change represents both a financial boost and a sign of FIU’s commitment to staying aligned with state labor policies.
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