The Washington State minimum wage for 2023 will increase to $15.74 an hour in January. That’s up $1.25 from what it is now.
The 8.66 percent rise is directly tied to the cost of common goods such as housing, food, and medical care, as reflected in the Consumer Price Index.
The state minimum wage applies to workers age 16 and older. Under state law, employers can pay 85 percent of the minimum wage to workers ages 14-15. For 2023, the wage for that younger group will be $13.38 per hour.
Cities can set minimum wages higher than the state. Seattle and SeaTac both have higher wages.