Minimum wage increases are calculated annually by the Washington Department of Labor and Industries using a formula tied to the rate of inflation.

The 2022 Washington minimum wage is $14.49 per hour.

The 2023 state of Washington minimum wage will increase to $15.74 per hour effective January 1, 2023.

Seattle and the City of SeaTac have higher minimum wage rates than the state minimum. For employees working in those areas, the local minimum wage rate applies as long as it remains higher than the state minimum. Departments that have employees physically working in these cities must ensure that they are paid in accordance with the city ordinance. Departments are to monitor their current employees to determine if the work location and pay rate are correct and make necessary adjustments.

City of Seattle Minimum Wage

The 2022 minimum wage for WSU employees working in the City of Seattle is $17.27 per hour.

The 2023 minimum wage for WSU employees working in the City of Seattle will increase to $18.69 per hour effective January 1, 2023.

Employees are covered by the ordinance for all time spent working within the geographic boundaries of Seattle. An employee who performs work in Seattle on an occasional basis is covered by the ordinance in a two-week period only if the employee performs more than two hours of work for an employer within Seattle during that two-week period. Time spent in Seattle solely for the purpose of travelling through Seattle or attending a training/conference is not covered by the ordinance.

City of SeaTac

The 2022 minimum wage for all hospitality and transportation workers in the City of SeaTac only is $17.54 per hour.

The 2023 minimum wage for all hospitality and transportation workers in the City of SeaTac is $19.06 per hour.

Required Posters

Washington State University is required to display state and federal labor law notices and posters regarding employment rights including information related to minimum wage. Information regarding required workplace notices is available at: Required Workplace Posters.