Maryland's minimum wage will increase by 75 cents per hour Thursday.
The minimum wage will rise from $7.25 to $8. It's the first of several increases over the next four years.
The minimum wage will increase to $8.25 in July, $8.75 in July 2016, $9.25 in July 2017 and $10.10 in July 2018.
Gov. Martin O'Malley signed the bill in May. He made it a priority of his last legislative session as governor.
The bill includes a provision to ensure about 18,000 community service providers who work with the developmentally disabled will make about 30 percent above the minimum wage.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
