Ensure Your Per Diem Substitute Rates Meet Minimum Wage

With Connecticut’s minimum wage now at $16.35 per hour as of January 1, 2025, school districts must ensure that their per diem substitute teacher rates comply.  Specifically, per diem rates must meet or exceed the hourly minimum wage multiplied by the number of hours worked per day.

For example, if a school day is seven hours long, the minimum per diem rate should be at least $114.45 per day ($16.35 x 7). Any rate falling below this amount does not comply with Connecticut’s wage laws and must be adjusted accordingly.

School districts should review their current per diem substitute rates and take immediate action if adjustments are needed. Failure to meet the minimum wage requirement could lead to costly legal action by the Connecticut Department of Labor or by individual employees.

Share this post

Written By Rebecca Goldberg

Rebecca Goldberg is a Partner in the firm’s Milford office. She works with human resources professionals and business managers to counsel them through the most challenging workplace situations, from harassment complaints to concerns about an employee’s mental or physical health...