2022 Washington Minimum Wage and Salary Thresholds for Overtime Exempt Workers

2021-12-15

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:

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website, including this webpage, is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice.  Use of, and access to, this website does not create an attorney-client relationship between our firm and the user.  Our firm has made reasonable efforts to ensure the accuracy and adequacy, etc. of the contents of this website; however, we do not warrant or guarantee the information on this website in any respect.  Our firm will not be liable or responsible for any damages, losses, and/or injuries arising out of or resulting from your use of, or access to, this website. The contents or URL of this website may be changed or deleted at any time without notice.  This disclaimer on this webpage may be changed at any time without notice.