Washington's minimum wage will increase by 15 cents an hour on Tuesday, Jan. 1, continuing the trend of being the highest in the nation.

On Jan. 1 the new rate will be $9.19 an hour. The increase is because of a ballot initiative approved by voters in 1998 that ties cost-of-living increases to the minimum wage.

According to the Economic Policy Institute, an estimated 144,000 workers in Washington will have a bump in pay as a result of the adjustment.

An analysis by the institute indicates that 81 percent of those low-wage workers are adults over the age of 20, while 35 percent have at least some college education.

Washington is among 10 states scheduled to raise their minimum wage rate. The state with the next highest rate is Oregon, which will set its rate at $8.95 an hour on Jan. 1.

Reach DAVE GALLAGHER at dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2269.