OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington’s minimum wage will increase to $16.66 per hour starting Jan. 1, 2025, adding $0.38 onto the current wage requirement.
This marks a 2.35% rise from the 2024 minimum wage, driven by increasing housing and food costs according to the Bureau of Labor.
Washington state remains the highest state-level minimum wage in the nation with the federal minimum wage level sitting at $7.35 an hour.
The state also stated that workers aged 14-15 can be paid 85% of the minimum wage, which will be $14.16 per hour in 2025.
Overtime exempt employees’ salaries will also rise. Small employers, those with up to 50 employees, will need to pay an employee at least $69,305.60 annually if they want to exempt those workers from overtime. Large employers must pay $77,968.80.
