OLYMPIA, Wash. - New laws go into effect Jan. 1, 2023 in Washington state with significant changes including a minimum wage increase, rideshare worker protections and wage transparency on job postings.
Washington's Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) detailed some of the changes to ensure that the public is aware.
Washington will have the highest state minimum wage in the country in 2023 when it increases nearly 9% to $15.74 an hour.
The state's 2022 minimum wage was $14.49 an hour - that's an increase of $1.25.
According to L&I, the increase is "directly linked to the cost of common goods such as housing, food, and medical care as reflected in the Consumer Price Index."
State Law passed by voters in 2016 directs L&I to calculate the minimum wage for the coming year based on "the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers."
The minimum wage applies to workers age 16 and older. Under state law, 14 and 15-year-olds can be paid 85% which will be $13.38 in 2023.
Cities are allowed to set higher minimum wages. Seattle's minimum wage for large employers will increase from $17.27 to $18.69 an hour in 2023.
Washington's wage will be even higher than California's which is increasing to $15.50 on Jan. 1, 2023.
Rideshare drivers will get new rights and protections as well after legislation that was passed in 2022.
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