Building an Economy that Works for Everyone

Minimum Wage and Overtime

In 1998, EOI worked to pass Initiative 688, making Washington the first state to index minimum wage to inflation. However, with today’s disproportionate job growth in high-wage industries, Washington’s cost of living is outpacing inflation and those annual minimum wage adjustments fall short.

Initiative 1433, passed with EOI leadership and engagement of community allies in 2016, set the state minimum wage to increase again over the next several years.

These increases provide much-needed relief to low-wage workers across the state, but many are still unable to afford the basics on a minimum wage income. A growing economy means growth of high, moderate, and low-wage jobs, and all of those workers deserve a living wage for their work.

In 2019, EOI contributed important policy analysis expertise and outreach to support a major change in Washington Administrative Code regulations governing who is covered by overtime and paid sick and safe leave laws. The minimum salary threshold to be exempt from overtime and sick leave protections began gradually rising in 2020 and will reach 2.5 times Washington’s minimum wage in 2028, making Washington’s protections the strongest in the nation.

Research Feed

Early Learning
Dynamics in Early Childhood Education in Washington State

A Case Study on the Impacts of Low Wages and Inadequate Public Support

A Fair Deal at Work
Time Is Money, Unless You’re Salaried

Washington’s Minimum Wage, Sick Leave, and Overtime Laws Haven’t Been Updated in 40 Years

An Inclusive Economy
Growing Jobs, Stagnant Wages, Increasing Inequality and Rising Prices

The State of Working Washington: Full Report

Minimum Wage
Time for a Raise

Statewide economic growth and Washington's minimum wage

Blog Feed

A Fair Deal at Work

June 5, 2019

Washington to Raise the Overtime Salary Threshold

This means more money and benefits for 400,000 residents

A Fair Deal at Work

December 28, 2018

After 4 decades, Washington’s Overtime Laws are Obsolete

Half of salaried employees are working overtime for free

A Fair Deal at Work

October 26, 2018

Your Salaried Status May Leave You Unprotected

Half a million workers would gain if Washington updates an obscure rule from the 1970s

A Fair Deal at Work

June 26, 2017

A Tale of Two Studies

Poor research leads to poor findings on minimum wage