Millions of U.S. workers will get a raise on New Year's Day, as more than a dozen states increase their minimum wage. That will include thousands of people across Washington.
Two states will tie for the highest minimum wage in 2017. The minimum wage is increasing to $11 an hour in Washington and Massachusetts. Washington's will continue increasing each year, until it reaches $13.50 an hour. That’s because of a new minimum wage law passed by voters in November.
Seattle has an even higher minimum wage, which is gradually moving toward $15. That law is taking effect for large businesses that don't cover health insurance. That means a raise for a lot of city workers.
Eventually all Seattle employers will pay a minimum of $15 an hour.
Elsewhere, Oregon's minimum wage increases to $10.25 in July. The federal minimum remains at $7.25, which 21 states follow.
