Why is washington state minimum wage so high

Younger workers, ages or 1 can expect to be paid $11. But if your business is in Seattle, the requirements are different. This job-killing increase is built into the system, thanks to a ballot initiative that increases the state’s minimum wage regardless of job market conditions. In many parts of the state, the jobs situation is worse than the headline statewide rate.

Local Minimum Wage Rates.

Most agricultural and non-agricultural jobs. This is greater than the Federal Minimum Wage of $7. You are entitled to be paid the higher state minimum wage. National minimum wage $5. While it may be more expensive to live in the Pacific northwest compared to the south it is still reasonable and there are states with.

In Seattle’s case, that is roughly percent of the current metro median wage. A comparison of average annualized unemployment rates for the state compared to the U. Full-time students, tipped employees and a few other types of workers are exempt from the federal minimum wage , so all states report at least some workers earning less than $7.

Washington State $7. Two states, Georgia and Wyoming, have laws that set minimum wage lower than the federal minimum wage. Both Georgia and Wyoming set the minimum wage for employees not covered by FLSA at $5. Massachusetts follows at $12.

A number of states have also in recent years enacted state preemption laws, which restrict local community rights, and bar local governments from setting their own minimum wage amounts. Only Democrats voted in favor of the legislation. But a quick look at the history of our state clearly debunks the myth that a higher minimum wage hurts jobs.

C actually has the highest minimum wage in the country. But it is not technically a state. The minimum wage was $12. Low- wage earners have a little more to celebrate this new year, at least in eight states.

State minimum wage is a popular talking point at the moment and the laws around it are changing. It is also a relatively healthy state economically-speaking according to this article from Bloomberg. More than 50workers, for instance, earned the federal minimum wage or less in Kentucky, accounting for an average of 4. California it is $per hour, and Oregon requires $10.

Workers who are paid through tipping have a $2.

Eleven of those states’ minimum wage is somewhere below $8. Although the state ’s overall job growth has remained strong since adoption of the high minimum wage , growth in industries with a prevalence of low- wage workers has slowed. But the pros only outweigh the cons if the minimum wage isn’t too high. For instance, Bureau of.

In setting a minimum wage , the government has to find the sweet spot between protecting workers and giving businesses the flexibility they need to remain competitive.