Washington to raise 2026 statewide minimum wage to $17.13
Washington will raise its statewide minimum wage to $17.13 in 2026, giving it the highest state minimum wage in the nation. National coverage frames the change as one of several first-of-its-kind state laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2026, alongside measures like Hawaii’s climate tourism tax and California’s CalRx insulin program.
📌 Key Facts
- Washington will raise its statewide minimum wage to $17.13, effective Jan. 1, 2026.
- The increase makes Washington’s the highest statewide minimum wage in the United States.
- National coverage frames Washington’s 2026 minimum wage rise as one of several leading-edge, first-of-their-kind state laws taking effect on Jan. 1, 2026.
- PBS News places Washington’s minimum wage change in the context of other unique 2026 state policies — for example, Hawaii’s climate tourism tax and California’s CalRx insulin program — underscoring its status among notable state-level policy changes.
- The policy is a statewide change affecting workers across Washington beginning in 2026.
📊 Relevant Data
In 2023, Washington women who were full-time wage and salary workers had median usual weekly earnings of $1,165, which was 76.5% of the $1,523 median for their male counterparts.
Women's Earnings in Washington — 2023 — U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
A study on Seattle's minimum wage ordinance found that it was associated with higher wages, higher quarterly earnings, and lower hours worked per quarter for low-wage workers.
Minimum-wage increases and low-wage employment — CLEAR (Center for Labor Economics and Research)
The wealth and resource gap between Black and White residents in King County is tied to inequities in educational opportunities and resources.
THE RACE GAP — King County
Low-skilled employment resulted in immigrant college graduates in Washington State forgoing approximately $827.2 million in annual earnings.
The Costs of Brain Waste among Highly Skilled Immigrants in Washington State — Migration Policy Institute
Seattle's record-high minimum wage has led to less employee turnover but also fewer job openings for younger, entry-level workers and reduced hours.
How Seattle's record-high minimum wage has — and hasn't — paid off — Cascade PBS
📰 Sources (2)
- Confirms Washington’s 2026 minimum wage rise is framed nationally as one of several first-of-its-kind or leading-edge state laws taking effect Jan. 1, 2026.
- Places Washington’s minimum wage change in context with other unique state policies like Hawaii’s climate tourism tax and California’s CalRx insulin program, underscoring its status as the highest statewide minimum wage.