There are several significant changes coming Jan. 1 to Washington that impact workers around the state.
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries complied a list of changes to ensure all workers and employers are aware of the changes and how they may be impacted.
The changes include: minimum wage and minimum salary for overtime-exempt employees are increasing; agricultural overtime eligibility is expanding; rideshare drivers are gaining access to minimum trip pay and other rights; and job-seekers will see wage transparency in job postings.
State minimum wage
The state’s minimum wage for 2023 will increase to $15.74 per hour. That applies to workers age 16 and older. Employers may pay 85% of the minimum wage —$13.38 per hour — to workers ages 14-15.
Cities can set a higher hourly minimum wage.
Overtime exempt salary threshold
To be exempt from the state Minimum Wage Act, executive, administrative, professional or computer professional, and outside salespeople must earn at least the minimum salary.
For employers with 50 or fewer employees, the 2023 salary threshold is 1.75 times the minimum wage: $1,101.80/week ($57,293.60/year). For employers with 51 or more employees, the threshold is double the minimum wage, $1,259.20/week ($65,478.40/year).
Agricultural overtime
Agricultural workers will have to work fewer hours in 2023 to be eligible for overtime pay. As of Jan. 1, 2023, agricultural workers must work at least 48 hours in a workweek before earning...
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