Washington will have the highest state minimum wage in 2026

The big picture: 19 states are raising their wage floors next month, according to the National Employment Law Project. But Washington is one of only six whose hourly minimum wages will top $16.

• The others are New York ($17 in some areas, $16 statewide); Connecticut ($16.94); California ($16.90); Hawai'i ($16) and Rhode Island ($16).
• Washington, D.C., meanwhile, will have an hourly wage floor of $17.95.

Catch up quick: Washington state voters passed Initiative 1433 in 2016 to raise the state's minimum wage to $13.50 by 2020, while tying future increases to inflation.

• The state's 2026 wage floor will mark a 2.8% increase from this year's minimum wage, which was $16.66.

Zoom in: Several Puget Sound cities have passed their own minimum wage laws, giving them some of the nation's highest local wage floors.

• That includes Seattle, which is set to raise its minimum wage on Jan. 1 to $21.30.
• Tukwila ($21.65) also will have one of the country's highest citywide minimum wages next year, while Burien ($21.63), Renton ($21.57), Everett ($20.77) and SeaTac ($20.74) will have some of the country's highest rates for certain employers.

Yes, but: Critics of higher minimum wage laws, including the conservative Washington Policy Center, have said the mandatory wage hikes raise prices and can reduce hours or job opportunities for low-wage workers.

• Supporters of the policies — including Seattle-mayor elect Katie Wilson — have argued prices are going up for other reasons, and higher wage floors help ensure the lowest-wage workers aren't left behind.

What's next: Wilson, who worked on campaigns to raise the minimum wage in multiple Puget Sound cities, will be sworn in as Seattle mayor next month and is likely to support maintaining a high wage floor.