Washington’s minimum wage will increase to $9.47 an hour in 2015

Washington state’s minimum wage will rise 15 cents to $9.47 an hour in 2015.

The Department of Labor & Industries announced the minimum wage increase, which starts on Jan. 1. The agency calculates the new wage each year based on the federal Consumer Price Index, a practice approved by Washington voters in 1998.

According to a news release the change will impact more than 67,000 workers, based on data from the Washington State Employment Security Department. The per hour increase will mean an increase of $312 a year for full-time minimum wage workers.

The minimum wage applies to workers in all industries, including agriculture, although 14- and 15-year-olds can be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage, or $8.05 an hour.

Washington has the highest state minimum wage in the nation. Oregon, which is second highest, will have a minimum wage of $9.25 an hour in 2015.

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

This story was originally published September 30, 2014 at 1:25 PM with the headline "Washington’s minimum wage will increase to $9.47 an hour in 2015."