Washington State to increase minimum wage in 2023

A large number of states in United States have passed legislation which directs employers to raise minimum wage of workers. Similarly, Washington will also joined the list of states to increase the minimum wage in 2023. According to Washington State Department of Labor & Industries the minimum wage will rise to $15.74 per hour for employees 16 years of age and older. Moreover, employees aging 14 to 15 will earn a minimum wage of $13.38 per hour in 2023.

Minimum wage increase for exempt workers

In wake of soaring inflation Washington state has decided to increase the minimum wage which is now over $15 an hour. This is significantly higher than the federal minimum wage which stands at $7.25 an hour. As of July 1, the minimum wage in Washington state is $14.49 an hour which among highest wage rate nationwide. Similarly, with rise in minimum wage, the wage of exempt workers will also increase significantly. Small employers will pay 1.75 times the minimum wage to the exempt workers. Furthermore, the large employers must pay exempt employees at least two times the minimum wage to meet the minimum salary requirements.

Other states to go beyond $15 an hour

In addition to Washington, three other states will have a minimum wage of $15 or more in 2023. These states include California, Connecticut and Massachusetts. Moreover, their minimum wage will be $15.5, $15 and $15 an hour respectively. Importantly, some of the municipalities may pay even higher to the resident workers. Despite the increase in minimum wage, many working families are still struggling. As per a research by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a working adult in Washington requires an hourly wage of $37.66 to support their family.

However, there is another side of the picture which is pretty gloomy. There are 20 states who have same minimum wage as that of federal minimum wage which is $7.25 an hour. Decades high inflation is making it challenging for the workers of those states to make ends meet.

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