Last week, the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced last week that the state minimum wage will increase 5.8% on January 1, from $13.69 to $14.49 per hour in 2022.

Indexed to the inflation rate, the 2022 increase in the minimum wage will be the largest increase since a 5.9% increase in 2009.

Under 2019 overtime rules, executive, administrative, and professional (EAP) employees are exempt from overtime pay requirements if their salary meets a threshold of $52,743.60 a year (1.75x minimum wage) for all employment sectors in 2022.

Although several Washington cities have higher minimum wage rates, the U.S. Department of Labor reports that Washington has the highest minimum wage rate in the country. The state will likely hold onto that distinction in 2022.