She gets another 25 cents an hour as of today, and that's enough to put a big smile on Kelsie Spooner's face.

The 20-year-old server at Chapters Viewpoint Restaurant in Kamloops is one of thousands of minimum-wage workers across B.C. whose hourly earnings rise for the third time in 12 months.

Effective today, workers whose jobs are supplemented by tips earn $9 and hour, up from $8.75. All other minimum-wage workers see their earnings jump to $10.25 from $9.50.

"That's really exciting, I think it's great," said Spooner. "Even 25 cents more will definitely help me."

It's a sentiment likely shared by workers across Kamloops.

Minimum wage has been rising since May 1 of last year after a decade of being frozen at $8/hr.

The first increase brought general minimum wage up to $8.75. Then, last November, it climbed to $9.50. Today it sits at $10.25.

At the same time, the hourly wage for liquor servers rose to $8.50, then to $8.75, landing today on $9.

Employers, not surprisingly, are finding little to cheer about.

One business owner, who did not want to comment publicly, said many employers will raise prices to compensate for the increase in wage payouts. Some could be forced to cut back on staff.

Ian Henson owns three Booster Juice outlets in Kamloops, employing about 35 staff in total. He says the increase in wages is a definite hit to his bottom line, but he also sees potential positive spinoffs.

"There's an expense that I can't offset, but I'm hoping that the positives for the kids and for the economy outweigh that," he said.

"The positive side of it is that hopefully the people that are receiving the increase in wages are out in the economy spending more money."

Other wages that rise today include earnings for live-in home support workers. They begin earning $102.50 per day, up from $87.50 a year ago.

And resident caretakers today start earning $615 per month plus $24.65 for each suite in buildings of nine to 60 suites, up from $525 per month and $21.05 for each suite.

Caretakers of buildings with more than 60 suites make $2,094, up from $1,788.