Minimum Wage Increase

Washington’s minimum wage will increase to $8.55 per hour beginning January 1. The state minimum wage is recalculated each year in September as required by voter approved Initiative 688, that was passed in 1998. The law requires that the state minimum wage be adjusted each year according to the change in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) during the 12 months ending each August 31.

The CPI-W is a national index covering the cost of goods and services needed for day-to-day living. It increased 5.9 percent during the 12 month period ending in August. The 5.9 percent increase, applied to Washington’s current minimum wage of $8.07 an hour, generated a 48-cent increase in next year’s minimum wage.

How does Washington State’s minimum wage compare to neighboring states? The current minimum wages for California, Idaho and Alaska are $8.00; $6.55, and $7.15, respectively. The 2009 minimum wage for Oregon is $8.40.
[ previous article ]  [ return to top ]  [ next article ]