Washington minimum wage likely going over $9 an hour
OLYMPIA, Wash. - Washington state's minimum wage for next year will likely climb to over $9 an hour when the figure is announced Friday by the state Department of Labor and Industries.
The wage is adjusted each year for inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for the past 12 months, which is up more than 4 percent. The new minimum will take effect in January.
Washington's current minimum wage is $8.67 an hour, up from $8.55 in 2010. It's the highest state minimum wage in the nation, although a few cities, like San Francisco and Santa Fe, N.M., have their own laws and have higher rates. San Francisco's current rate is $9.92.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25.
Oregon, which also has an initiative-based minimum wage law, has a minimum wage of $8.50 an hour.
Other states with adjustable minimum wages are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, and Vermont.
Most states that tie the wage to inflation make no provision for lowering the amount, including Washington, so the minimum wage stays flat if the price index falls.
The wage is adjusted each year for inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for the past 12 months, which is up more than 4 percent. The new minimum will take effect in January.
Washington's current minimum wage is $8.67 an hour, up from $8.55 in 2010. It's the highest state minimum wage in the nation, although a few cities, like San Francisco and Santa Fe, N.M., have their own laws and have higher rates. San Francisco's current rate is $9.92.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25.
Oregon, which also has an initiative-based minimum wage law, has a minimum wage of $8.50 an hour.
Other states with adjustable minimum wages are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oregon, and Vermont.
Most states that tie the wage to inflation make no provision for lowering the amount, including Washington, so the minimum wage stays flat if the price index falls.
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