Federal Minimum Wage to Increase

For the first time in a decade, the federal minimum wage is scheduled to increase.

The current federal minimum wage is $5.15 an hour. Because Washington’s minimum wage is higher ($7.93 per hour), there is no impact of this change on employers in our state.

The minimum wage provision, signed by the President on May 25, was part of a supplemental spending package for the war in Iraq. It will increase the federal minimum wage from $5.15 to $7.25 per hour in three stages over the next two years. The initial increase – to $5.85 per hour – will go into effect 60 days after signing. The second $.70 increase will come a year later, with final increase to $7.25 per hour occurring in July of 2009.

 
[ previous article ]  [ return to top ]  [ next article ]