Skip to content
NFIB Logo Join Now

State’s Minimum Wage Rate Rises to $16.28 an Hour Starting Jan. 1

State’s Minimum Wage Rate Rises to $16.28 an Hour Starting Jan. 1

October 3, 2023 Last Edit: June 5, 2025

State’s Minimum Wage Rate Rises to $16.28 an Hour Starting Jan. 1

Washington’s Department of Labor & Industries announced September 29 that the state’s minimum-wage rate will rise to $16.28 an hour beginning January 1, 2024. “Under state law, L&I calculates the minimum wage for the coming year based on the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics’ (BLS) Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W),” said L&I in this news release. “In making the calculation, L&I compares the CPI-W index from August of the previous year to August of the current year. In 2023, Washington has the highest state-level minimum wage in the nation. The federal minimum wage remains set at $7.25 an hour.” The department’s news release has more information on its calculation, the minimum wage for the young, and the rates for overtime exempt employees and for rideshare drivers. Cities are still free to set rates higher than the state’s.  
Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Receive our newsletter and email notification
Knowledge is power. Let us help you stay informed with breaking legislative news, regulatory updates, business tips, and more.

Related Articles

Aerial view of a university campus with a green central quad, surrounding modern buildings and tree-lined streets in daylight.
Related
June 29, 2026
Lawmakers Comes to Terms on a State Budget
NC is the only state not to pass a budget for the two-year period that began last summer.
Read More
Related
June 29, 2026
NFIB California Main Street Minute, June 29-July 3
Local Taxpayer Protection Act to Save Prop.13 bumped from November ballot
Read More
Two hosts in a split-screen interview: man in a studio with a microphone on the left and a woman on video chat on the right, with 'MIDDAYS with GERARD GIBERT' branding above.
Related
June 29, 2026
WATCH: NFIB State Director Discusses Small Business Issues with SuperTalk MS
Leah Long also talked about rising fuel costs and other expenses.
Read More
Related
June 29, 2026
Alabama’s Sales Tax Holiay is Coming Up July 17-19
NFIB is urging Alabamians to support small businesses during the back-to-school event.
Read More

© 2001 - 2026 National Federation of Independent Business. All Rights Reserved. Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Accessibility