Beginning January 1, 2022, the Washington State’s minimum wage will be $14.49 per hour, increasing from the current minimum wage of $13.69 per hour. This increase impacts the 2022 salary thresholds for overtime exempt workers; specifically, to be exempt from overtime pay, an employee needs to be paid at least $1,014.30 per week ($52,743.60 annually). The Department of Labor and Industry announced the updated implementation schedule as follows:
| Effective Date | 2020/7/1 | 2021/1/1 | 2022/1/1 | 2023/1/1 | 2024/1/1 | 2025/1/1 | 2026/1/1 | 2027/1/1 | 2028/1/1 | |
| Employers with 1-50 Employees | Minimum Wage Multiplier | 1.25 | 1.5 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 2 | 2 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.5 |
| Weekly ($) | 675 | 821.40 | 1,014.30 | 1,041 | 1,210 | 1,233 | 1,414 | 1,443 | 1,635 | |
| Annual ($) | 35,100 | 42,712 | 52,743.60 | 54,132 | 62,920 | 64,116 | 73,528 | 75,036 | 85,020 | |
| Employers with 50+ Employees | Minimum Wage Multiplier | 1.25 | 1.75 | 1.75 | 2 | 2 | 2.25 | 2.25 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Weekly ($) | 675 | 958.30 | 1,014.30 | 1,189 | 1,210 | 1,387 | 1,414 | 1,603 | 1,635 | |
| Annual ($) | 35,100 | 49,831 | 52,743.60 | 61,828 | 62,920 | 72,124 | 73,528 | 83,356 | 85,020 |
The following schedule is for computer professionals:
| Effective Date | 7/1/2020 | 1/1/2021 | 1/1/2022 |
| Employers with 1-50 Employees | $27.63 per hour | $37.65/hour x 2.75 | $50.72/hour x 3.5 |
| Employers with 50+ Employees | $37.13/hour x 2.75 | $47.92/hour x 3.5 | $50.72/hour x 3.5 |
In Seattle, the 2022 minimum wage will be $17.27 per hour. However, if the number of employees is 500 or less, and if employers pay at least $1.52 per hour for the employee’s medical benefits and/or earn at least $1.52 per hour in tips, the minimum wage of $15.75 will apply. The City of Seattle released the revised workplace poster, which includes an announcement of 2022 minimum wage (see the links below). Employers need to replace the old poster and post the revised version in employer’s workplaces where employees can see and read it.
SeaTac’s minimum wage in 2022 for transportation and hospitality workers will be $17.54 per hour, increasing from the current $16.57 per hour.
As the Washington minimum wage will rise 5.83% in 2022, employers are encouraged to review their employees’ wages and/or salaries and their status of overtime exempt or non-exempt to comply with the new minimum wage(s) and overtime pay rules.
References:
- Changes to Overtime Rules in 2020: Washington State and Federal Laws
- Minimum Wage and Salary Thresholds for Overtime Exempt Workers – 2021 Washington
- 2022 Seattle Workplace Poster (English and Japanese)
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