Minimum Wage

Washington's 2010 minimum wage is $8.55 per hour

Washington’s minimum wage applies to workers in both agriculture and non-agricultural jobs, although 14- and 15-year-olds may be paid 85% of the minimum wage, or $7.27 an hour.

Initiative 688, approved by Washington voters in 1998, requires L&I to make a cost-of-living adjustment to the minimum wage each year based on the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).

See the September 29, 2009 news release. No increase to Washington’s minimum wage in 2010

See a History of Washington State's Minimum Wage by year.

Minimum wage poster

L&I recommends that businesses post this poster in their workplace.
Acrobat PDF file Minimum Wage Poster (English/Spanish) effective January 1, 2009.

Get a list of the other posters required and recommended by L&I and other state and government agencies.

Common questions about minimum wage

Who must be paid minimum wage?

The wage applies to workers in both agricultural and non-agricultural jobs. Although there are some exemptions, most workers must be paid the minimum wage for all "hours worked" as required by state law. "Hours worked" includes opening and closing the business, and required meetings and training. Any time spent by an employee in the performance of these duties must be recorded and paid.
Can a business count workers' tips when making sure they get at least minimum wage?

No. Businesses may not use tips as credit toward minimum wages owed to a worker.
How can an employer get a minimum wage poster to post in their place of business?

L&I recommends that each employer post the state minimum wage where all employees have an opportunity to see it. There are two ways to get a minimum wage poster:
The minimum wage poster online (F700-102-909 - updated yearly).
Order paper copies by calling 1-866-219-7321 (toll-free).
How can an employer get L&I's required workers' rights poster in order to post it?

You can order free, full-sized, color versions of L&I's required workers' rights posters Your Rights as a Worker in Washington State (English/Spanish) / Sus derechos como trabajador en el estado de Washington (F700-074-909) from your local L&I office.
You may also want to get this list of workplace posters required and recommended (F101-054-000) by L&I and other Washington State and federal agencies. All posters listed are available in both English and Spanish.
Why and when does the minimum wage change and how is it calculated?

Initiative 688, approved by Washington voters in 1998, requires L&I to make a cost-of-living adjustment to its minimum wage each year based on the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W). This measures the average change in prices on a fixed group of goods and services such as food, shelter, medical care, transportation and other goods and services people purchase for day-to-day living. L&I recalculates the state's minimum wage in September, and it takes effect the following year on January 1.
What is Washington's minimum wage compared to other states?

In 2009, Washington has the highest state minimum wage. The next highest are Oregon ($8.40), Vermont ($8.06), California, Massachusetts and Connecticut ($8.00), and Illinois ($7.75).

Minimum wages for other states: www.dol.gov/esa/minwage/america.htm.
What is the difference between the state and federal minimum wage?

The federal Department of Labor minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. In states that set rates that differ from federal law, the higher rate applies.

Most Washington employers are subject to both federal and state minimum wage and overtime laws. The effect of this dual coverage is that the employer must follow the higher standard, meaning the one most beneficial to the employee, when there are differing requirements in the laws.