POLL: State's Minimum Wage to Increase 37 Cents, to $9.04, on Jan. 1

Washington’s minimum wage will increase to $9.04 per hour beginning Jan. 1, an increase of 37 cents. The current rate of $8.67 an hour is already the highest state minimum wage in the nation.

The Department of Labor and Industries calculates the state’s minimum wage each year as required by Initiative 688, which Washington voters approved in 1998. The increase reflects a 4.258 percent increase in the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers since August 2010.

Oregon has the second-highest minimum wage. It will increase 30 cents to $8.80 an hour on Jan. 1.

Washington's minimum wage applies to workers in both agriculture and non-agricultural jobs, although 14- and 15-year-olds may be paid 85 percent of the minimum wage, which is $7.37.

According to the Associated Press, a few cities, like San Francisco, have their own laws and have higher rates. San Francisco's current rate of $9.92 increases to $10.24 on Sunday, making it the first city in the country to top a $10 minimum wage.

In addition to Washington and Oregon, other states raising their minimum wage on New Year's Day are Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Montana, Ohio and Vermont.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25.