Washington’s minimum wage is increasing 15 cents to $9.19 per hour.
The Department of Labor & Industries said Friday that the new rules will go into effect in January. Washington is already the state with the highest minimum wage.
Washington voters approved a process to calculate the minimum wage in 1998, and the new increase reflects a rise in the Consumer Price Index. It has been driven upward recently due to gasoline prices.
Oregon has the next-highest minimum wage, and its 2013 floor will be $8.95 per hour.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
The Associated Press
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