Seattle's Minimum Wage Increases to $18.69 an hour

[ua_guy]

https://mynorthwest.com/3661409/seattle-minimum-wage-increases-to-18-69-an-hour/

BY L.B. GILBERT
MyNorthwest Content Editor
Seattle announced its new minimum wage will be $18.69 an hour for most workers, a $1.42 increase over the current wage. It will take effect Jan 1, 2023.

An annual increase to the minimum wage is required by the Minimum Wage Ordinance, which was set by Initiative 1433 and requires the wage to be adjusted for inflation.

Tukwila residents to vote on $3 increase to city’s minimum wage

The $18.69 an hour wage applies to large employers with more than 500 employees. For smaller employers, who do not pay for medical benefits and who earn at least $2.19 an hour in tips, the new minimum wage will be $16.50 an hour.


The current minimum wage for 2022 is $17.27 an hour, an 8% increase which aligns with the 8.3% inflation rate reported by U.S. Labor Department Sept. 13.

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries said the 8.66% rise is directly linked to the historic surge in costs of common goods such as housing, food, and medical care, with the highest inflation seen in the past four decades.

The state’s minimum wage will also be increasing. The new rate will be $15.74 per hour. It is currently $14.49.

All pay hikes will apply to workers who are 16 and older. Workers who are 14 and 15 will get 85% of the wage, which comes out to be $13.38 per hour.

Seattle’s labor office plans to mail out new workplace wage posters to every licensed business in the coming weeks.

[disneysteve]

NJ is currently at 13 with legislation already in place to gradually move up to 15 I believe. I think $1 on 1/1/23 and $1 on 1/1/24 but I'm not positive.

[QuarterMillionMan]

[ua_guy]

That's funny about no more inflation. So, you're saying prices will do what they do, but people shouldn't make higher wages? It's all a game, after all.

[crazyliblady]

That's funny about no more inflation. So, you're saying prices will do what they do, but people shouldn't make higher wages? It's all a game, after all.

Increasing wages will result in an increase in the price of goods and services. It could also result in businesses replacing people with machines. Several years ago, this happened when McDonald's employees lobbied for higher wages. I am not saying it is wrong to want higher wages, though. https://www.forbes.com/sites/realspi...h=67088c84fbc6

[QuarterMillionMan]

Bingo! Big government needs to stay in their lane and let the markets dictate it. If a job only pays $10/hr then no need apply for it. Go next door where they are paying $12/hr or $15/hr. With Seattle's $19/hr, now that Starbucks latte will increase to $12 from $7, "I said no, more inflation."

[QuarterMillionMan]

Crazliblady is spot on, thank you.

[ua_guy]

The measure was voted on and passed by a good margin. And I do think the market has spoken. I think I mentioned Jack In The Box (a fast food chain). In places where they are not bound by Seattle's minimum wage law, they're still paying $18+ per hour. Some fast food places are paying as high as $22/hr. Because of costs, these are the wages that get the workers they need.

Starbucks was never meant to be cheap/ commonly affordable. People who want affordable coffee should make it at home or buy it at a place like the gas station, McDonalds, or Dunkin.

Those who pay lower than fast food wages always seem to have "Help Wanted" signs and can't retain workers. Let me guess...the market isn't speaking here. Nobody wants to work? lol

[LivingAlmostLarge]

I have seen minimum wage more like $20/hr. yeah things are expensive now

[bjl584]

Minimum wage in PA is still 7.25. There is talks of raising it, but I don't know any details.

Is $18 an hour in Seattle get you to a living wage? It seems like it is an expensive city. I'd think you'd have to earn north of $20 an hour to stand a chance there.

[ua_guy]

Minimum wage in PA is still 7.25. There is talks of raising it, but I don't know any details.

Is $18 an hour in Seattle get you to a living wage? It seems like it is an expensive city. I'd think you'd have to earn north of $20 an hour to stand a chance there.

Just doing some rough google searching and it would appear the average rent in Seattle is north of $2,000/month+ for a 1-bedroom apartment. Median sold price for a home in the city is ~800k.

So no, I don't think that's a very "livable" wage, but it is a better minimum than many places which are also expensive.

[LivingAlmostLarge]

Minimum wage in PA is still 7.25. There is talks of raising it, but I don't know any details.

Is $18 an hour in Seattle get you to a living wage? It seems like it is an expensive city. I'd think you'd have to earn north of $20 an hour to stand a chance there.

$20 is enough to live on in Seattle. You will not be living in Seattle probably and in $2k apartment thats a nice apartment. There are a lot of places outside the city think slightly north, south, east that a 1 bedroom is $1200. near to me there is a 1 bed for $1200 and 2 bedrooms for $1500 but NOT upscale, newer, concierge, etc. More like older apartment or condo rental. And the further out you go say 1 hour outside of Seattle for sure you can manage. And outside the city they are still paying slightly less but they pay $17/hr. I know because I asked the kid scooping my ice cream this summer what he's making (high schooler) $18/hr.

[ua_guy]

$20 is enough to live on in Seattle. You will not be living in Seattle probably and in $2k apartment thats a nice apartment. There are a lot of places outside the city think slightly north, south, east that a 1 bedroom is $1200. near to me there is a 1 bed for $1200 and 2 bedrooms for $1500 but NOT upscale, newer, concierge, etc. More like older apartment or condo rental. And the further out you go say 1 hour outside of Seattle for sure you can manage. And outside the city they are still paying slightly less but they pay $17/hr. I know because I asked the kid scooping my ice cream this summer what he's making (high schooler) $18/hr.

Not that it can't be done, but, even at $1200/month that represents a housing expense of about 37% of gross income on full-time minimum wage. That's pretty high...for rent. I'm from the area and the places in the city where you're finding a $1200/month apartment are not places I'd want to live in for very long if one can find nicer accommodations. Or, living outside of city proper could mean hour(s) of commuting with how boxed in the area is by water, mountains, etc.