State minimum wage increases to $13.50

RITZVILLE – Area businesses will be paying their lowest-tier employees at least 12.5% more beginning Wednesday, Jan. 1.

That's when the state minimum wage climbs $1.50 per hour to $13.50. The new minimum wage applies to all workers age 16 and older.

State Department and Labor and Industries officials estimate the wage increase will be paid to 189,994 employees.

Tips do not count toward the minimum wage, under state law.

This year's 12.5% increase is the final wage hike scheduled under Initiative 1433.

Passed in 2016, the ballot measure raised the minimum wage to specified amounts for the past...