Dec. 28, 2004 Washington’s minimum wage increases to $7.35 an hour on SaturdayTUMWATER — Washington’s minimum wage will increase Saturday, Jan. 1, 2005, to $7.35 an hour, up 19 cents from the 2004 minimum wage of $7.16 an hour. The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) recalculates the state’s minimum wage each year according to the change in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). The annual inflation adjustment is required by Initiative 688, which was approved by Washington voters in 1998. The CPI-W increased 2.6 percent during the 12 months ending Aug. 31, 2004. Washington’s minimum wage applies to workers in both agricultural and non-agricultural jobs, although 14- and 15-year-olds may be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage. Washington is one of three states nationwide, along with Oregon and Florida, that have voter mandates to automatically adjust their minimum wages each year. Fourteen states have minimum wages higher than the federal minimum, which is $5.15 an hour. For more information, go to Wages.LNI.wa.gov and select “Minimum Wage.” ### For media information: Ron Langley, L&I, 360-902-5405 or lanx235@LNI.wa.gov or
visit the L&I News and Media Center at www.LNI.wa.gov/News.
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