2010 Washington Minimum Wage is $8.55

The Washington minimum wage will remain at $8.55 per hour in 2010, the same rate as in 2009. This marks the first year there has been no increase in the state minimum wage since 1998. Despite this, the Washington minimum wage remains the highest in the nation.

The Washington Department of Labor & Industries or L&I calculates the state minimum wage each September under initiative 688, passed by voters in 1998. Under that law, the Washington minimum wage has risen from $5.15 in 1998 to $8.55 in 2009.

Each year the increase is based on change in the federal Consumer Price Index or CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers during the 12 months ending on August 31.

For the 12 months ending August 31, 2009 the cost of living as measured by the CPI decreased 1.9%. While there is no provision under the law to reduce the Washington minimum wage, this means that there will be no increase.

A 5.9% increase in the CPI in 2008 led to an increase of 48 cents in the Washington minimum wage on January 1, 2009, making the Washington minimum wage the current rate of $8.55 per hour.

The Washington minimum wage applies to most workers and most industries in the state. Unlike many other states, the minimum wage applies even to agricultural workers. In one of the few loopholes, youths who are 14 or 15 years old may be paid 85% of the state minimum wage, or $7.27 per hour. That rate is slightly higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 for workers of all ages.

Nine states in addition to Washington adjust their minimum wages each year for inflation. They are Oregon, Vermont, Ohio, Nevada, Montana, Missouri, Florida, Colorado and Arizona. Most of those states plan no minimum wage increase for 2010. In Florida, the state minimum wage will increase by

On the other hand, in Colorado the state minimum wage will decrease by 4 cents from $7.28 per hour to $7.24 per hour. This marks the first time in history that any state minimum wage has decreased.