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Today, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced Washington’s minimum wage will rise 2.8% next year, to $17.13 an hour. The increase takes effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Washington’s current state minimum wage of $16.66 is the highest in the nation. Local governments can set minimum wages higher than the state. Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton, Bellingham, Everett, Burien, and unincorporated King County currently all have higher minimum wages. The federal minimum wage remains $7.25 an hour.