Bellingham’s citywide minimum wage for 2025 is now set. Here’s what the new rate will be
On Sept. 30, the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries announced that the state’s minimum wage will go up by nearly $0.40 next year, bringing it to $16.66 an hour. While Bellingham has its own citywide rate, the announcement has consequences for the city as well.
Bellingham minimum wage in 2025
Currently, Bellingham sets its minimum wage at $1.00 above the statewide rate, meaning that on Jan. 1, 2025, the citywide rate will jump from $17.28 an hour to $17.66 an hour.
However, less than halfway through the year, Bellingham’s minimum wage will increase again. The 2023 ballot measure that established the citywide minimum wage says that, starting May 1, 2025, Bellingham’s minimum wage will be set at $2.00 above the statewide rate.
So from May 2025 until the end of the year, Bellingham’s minimum wage will be $18.66 an hour. The following year, Bellingham’s minimum wage will be $2.00 higher than the 2026 statewide rate, which will be announced by L&I next September.
Why did WA raise the minimum wage?
State law requires L&I to adjust the minimum wage each year according to inflation, as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. The new rate represents a 2.35% increase over the current minimum wage of $16.28 an hour.
Washington already has the highest minimum wage of any state in the country – second-highest if you include Washington, D.C. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, although 30 states have a higher minimum wage of their own.
Which cities in Washington have their own minimum wage?
Cities in Washington are free to set their own minimum wage as long as it’s higher than the statewide rate. In addition to Bellingham, Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton and Burien will have a citywide minimum wage in 2025, according to L&I. Bellingham’s rate will be the lowest of those cities.
Who qualifies for minimum wage?
Bellingham’s minimum wage applies to “all hours worked by employees within the geographic boundaries of the city of Bellingham,” according to the city.
One notable exception to Bellingham’s minimum wage is city employees. The city charter doesn’t allow any ballot initiative to fix the salaries of city employees. However, the city “encourages” itself to pay employees at that rate.
Under state law, employees who earn tips still must be paid minimum wage before any tips are added.
If you believe that your employer is paying you below minimum wage, you can file a complaint with L&I.
This story was originally published October 1, 2024 at 11:55 AM.