Gov. Brown Approves Minimum Wage Increase

Minimum wage-earners in California can look forward to more cash in their wallets starting this summer.

Governor Brown signed a bill Wednesday that will gradually increase the minimum wage from $8 to $10 an hour by 2016.

California is known for having the largest "working poor" population in the nation, although the state's current minimum wage is right around the national average.

Workers in Washington state currently earn the highest wages in the country, averaging at $9.19 an hour -- but Californians are expected to surpass that within the next three years.

As the cost of living continues to rise, minimum wage earners will need higher wages to help sustain their expenses. Governor Brown's action Wednesday is expected to help employers recognize the realistic expenditures of their employees.