According to the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), the state minimum wage will be $14.49 per hour in 2022. This is an increase of 5.8% over 2021’s minimum.

Washington’s minimum wage has been indexed to inflation since voters approved Initiative 688 in 1998. Aside from substantial step increases to the minimum in 2017 and 2020 (mandated by I-1433), the increase in 2022 is the largest since a 5.9% increase in 2009.

Washington’s current minimum wage is the highest state minimum wage in the country. It will likely keep that title next year. Some cities have higher minimum wages, including Seattle and SeaTac. Neither has yet announced their minimum wages for 2022. In 2021, SeaTac’s minimum wage for hospitality and transportation industry employees is $16.57 per hour (it will increase by inflation next year). In 2021, Seattle’s minimum wage is $15.00 or $16.69 per hour, depending on the size of the employer and whether employees receive medical benefits or tips. Under Seattle’s ordinance, the minimum for small employers who pay towards medical benefits or whose employees earn tips will increase to $15.75 per hour in 2022. The minimum for other employers will be $16.69 increased by inflation.

Additionally, under 2019 overtime rules, executive, administrative, and professional (EAP) employees are exempt from overtime requirements if their salary meets a threshold that is a multiple of the state minimum wage. Given the 2022 minimum wage, the EAP overtime threshold will be $52,743.60 a year in 2022 for all employers.