Just when Washington's outlier minimum wage became a gubernatorial campaign issue, the Department of Labor & Industries announced yesterday the rate for entry level workers is rising 48 cents per hour to $8.55 in 2009. This is far and away the highest wage rate in the country, above Oregon at $8.40 for 2009 and the federal rate of $6.55 for the first half of 2009 ($7.25 for the second half of 2009).
The minimum wage rate rises automatically every year based upon an inflationary index without regard to ambient wage and economic circumstances in the state -- to the enormous and understandable consernation of agriculture, restaurant, retail, and many other small businesses.
