Washington Labor Law Poster: Minimum Wage to Rise on Jan. 1, 2012

Dec 15, 2011

Effective Jan. 1, 2012, the Washington state minimum wage rate will increase from $8.67 per hour to $9.04 per hour. Washington currently has the highest state minimum wage in the nation and will after the hike as well.

Washington's minimum wage is adjusted each year for inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price (CPI) Index for the past 12 months.

The wage rate for workers ages 14 and 15 also increased from $7.37 per hour to $7.68 per hour, as 14- and 15-year-old workers are paid 85 percent of the state minimum wage.

According to the agency, the Washington Minimum Wage poster is not a required posting and has been discontinued by the state as a way to simplify requirements for businesses. The Department of Labor and Industries will no longer publish a separate poster listing the new minimum wage change each time the rate increases.

Employers are still required to post the "Your Rights as a Worker" notice that explains wage and hour requirements for the state.

We at Personnel Concepts have incorporated a minimum wage notice onto the "Your Rights as a Worker" notice with the current minimum wage of $9.04. This notice will be sent to our subscription customers as part of their regular update service. Others may inquire about obtaining one by calling Customer Service at (800) 333-3795.