OLYMPIA — The new year is here, and with it come changes to wages and laws in Washington. Starting Thursday, the state minimum wage is $17.13 an hour, up from $16.66 an hour in 2025, maintaining Washington's position as the state with the highest minimum wage in the nation. Employers may pay 14-and 15-year-old workers 85% of the minimum wage rate. The federal minimum wage rate, which hasn't ...