Q: Will we have to raise our substitute teacher rates to comply with the new minimum wage law?

A: If you pay less than $50 a day for substitutes, you need to review your hourly rates. Even though substitute teachers are exempt employees, the new minimum wage requirement applies to their pay.

Subs are typically paid by daily rates, so the amount they earn must equal at least $5.85 per hour. For an eight-hour day, the minimum daily rate is $47. For a seven-and-a-half hour day, the minimum rate is $44. According to district salary surveys recently submitted to HR Services, about 15 percent of respondents reported paying sub rates that do not meet the new minimum wage requirements. 

And remember that this year’s increase is just the first; there are two more to come in the next two years. By July 24, 2008, sub rates must be at least $49 for 7.5 hours and by July 24, 2009, at least $54.38.