Business - Business News

POSTED: Tuesday, Sep. 30, 2008

State minimum wage to jump 48 cents next year

Washington's minimum wage will be seeing its biggest jump in nine years when the annual adjustment takes place Jan. 1.

The state minimum wage will increase 48 cents to $8.55 an hour, an increase required by a voter initiative that passed 10 years ago. The last time the minimum wage increased by more than 48 cents was in January 2000.

The increase means those working full time for minimum wage will see an annual increase of about $998, making an annual income of $17,784.

The current federal minimum wage is $6.55 an hour.

The Department of Labor and Industries recalculates the state's minimum wage each year in September as required by Initiative 688. The law requires that the state minimum wage be adjusted each year according to the change in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers during the 12 months ending each Aug. 31.

The national index covers the cost of goods and services needed for day-to-day living. It increased 5.9 percent during the 12­month period ending in August, compared to a 1.8 percent increase during the same period in 2007. That led to a 14-cents-an-hour increase in the 2008 minimum wage, making it the highest in the country.

Washington's minimum wage applies to workers in both agricultural and non-agricultural jobs, although 14­ and 15-year-olds may be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage, or $7.27.

More information on Washington's minimum wage is available at wages.lni.wa.gov. Employers and workers also can call (360) 902-5316 or 1-866-219-7321.