Washington’s minimum wage will rise to $16.66 an hour next year, a 2.35 percent increase over 2024. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries announced the increase yesterday (Mon), and it takes effect January 1st.
State law directs Labor and Industries to calculate the minimum wage for the coming year using the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. To make the calculation, L&I compares the consumer price index from August of the previous year to August of the current year.
According to the bureau, housing and food costs increased over the last 12 months, leading to the increase in the consumer price index.
Washington has the highest state-level minimum wage in the nation. The federal minimum wage remains set at $7.25 an hour.
The state minimum wage applies to workers age 16 and older. Under state law, employers can pay 85 percent of the minimum wage to workers ages 14-15. For 2025, the wage for younger workers will be $14.16 per hour.
