SEATTLE — Higher wages, lax employer marijuana testing, 10-day waiting periods for gun purchasers and more. These are some of the new laws taking effect in Washington state come Jan. 1.
Here's what you need to know heading into the new year:
Washington state minimum wage will increase from $15.74 per hour to $16.28 per hour in 2024, giving the Evergreen state the highest minimum wage in the country, ahead of California at $16 an hour and more than double the federal average.
Employees working minimum-wage jobs in 22 different states and at least 40 cities and counties nationwide will see a pay increase.
RELATED | New year, new wages: 22 state minimum wage raise led by Washington with $16.28
Washington employers can pay some workers less than minimum wage if they are 14 to 15 years old (no less than 85% of minimum wage), have jobs exempt from the Minimum Wage Act or work jobs that meet other defined criteria, according to Washington’s Labor and Industries (L&I).
Effective Jan. 1, minimum wage in Seattle will increase to $19.97 an hour, while SeaTac minimum wage will be bumped to $19.71 an hour. Tukwila hourly minimum wage will rise to a state-high $20.29 in January, up from $18.99 in 2023.
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