The new year is bringing with it increases to minimum wage as well as the salary threshold for overtime eligibility in the State of Washington.
Beginning Jan. 1, the minimum wage is increasing to $17.13 per hour, which is expected to benefit many student and hourly employees. Increases for affected employees will be made automatically and will not require action by departments to go into effect.
The dawn of 2026 will also see the amount employees must earn to be exempt from overtime increase to $80,168, or $6,680.70 monthly. Any WSU employee making less will be eligible for overtime in the year ahead. The threshold for overtime exemption is determined by Washington State Labor and Industries based on a multiplier of the state’s minimum wage and inflation.
These changes will go into effect Jan. 1, and will be processed within Workday Jan. 5–12. More information is available on Human Resource Services’ website. Specific information on Workday for area finance officers and HR partners is available on the WSU Modernization website.
