State wage doubles Federal minimum wage amount
Workers in Washington in a variety of jobs will get a boost in their paychecks starting next year.
As of Jan. 1, Washington workers must earn at least $14.49 per hour. That wage includes a 5.83% increase in the Consumer Price Index because of higher costs for gas, housing and food.
The state minimum wage applies to workers age 16 and older. Under state law, employers may pay 85% of the minimum wage to workers under 16, which will be $12.32 per hour in 2022.
For several years, Washington has had the highest minimum wage in the country, but it will be surpassed by California in January, where the minimum wage goes to $15 an hour for employers with 26 or more employees. For employers with fewer employees, the minimum wage will be $14.
Five states, all in the southeast, don’t have their own minimum wage and use the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. Fifteen set the same minimum as the federal wage.
Starting next year, Washington’s agricultural workers will be eligible to earn overtime. Overtime wages will be phased in over three years, reducing the number of hours agricultural workers need before they receive overtime pay.
In 2022, they will receive overtime if they work at least 55 hours in a week. In 2023, they will need to work at least 48 hours for overtime. In 2024, the threshold will be 40 hours, the same as for most other workers.
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