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FR
Washington’s Minimum Wage Heading to $17.13 in 2026
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Insurance Journal
Washington’s minimum wage will rise 2.8% next year to $17.13 per hour.
State law requires L&I to calculate the minimum wage for the coming year using the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.
L&I compares the CPI-W from August of the previous year to August of the current year and adjusts the minimum wage based on the percentage increase in the CPI-W.Washington’s current minimum wage of $16.66 is the highest in the nation, according to L&I.
For 2026, employers must pay overtime exempt workers at least 2.25-times the minimum wage, which means an exempt employee must earn at least $1,541.70 a week.
Washington employers are allowed to pay 85% of the minimum wage to workers ages 14-15, so the minimum wage for those workers will be $14.56 an hour in 2026.