Minimum vs. Prevailing Wages

Effective January 1, 2009, the minimum wage in Washington State will increase from $8.07 per hour to $8.55 per hour.

While most prevailing wage rates for most classification and for most counties are above the $8.55 new minimum wage rate, there are some classifications in some counties where the prevailing wage rate will end up being lower than the minimum wage rate.

Generally, public works contracts include a provision that the contractor must comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Thus, contractors and subcontractors are obligated to pay their workers at least the minimum State wage rate in cases where it is higher than the prevailing wage rate.