News

Washington state and Bellingham to see minimum wage increases next year

Washington state and Bellingham to see minimum wage increases next year

Photo: Saga Communications


BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The minimum wage in Bellingham will rise by over a dollar in 2025.

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) announced on Monday, Sept. 30, that Washington’s minimum wage will increase to $16.66 starting on Jan. 1, 2025. That’s just over a 2% increase from the current rate of $16.28 per hour.

The news is particularly welcome in Bellingham, after voters in November 2023 approved an initiative that set the city’s minimum wage above the state of Washington’s.

Bellingham’s minimum wage is currently a dollar higher than the state’s and it will jump to $2 above the state’s starting on May 1, 2025. That leaves it at $18.66 for the bulk of next year following L&I’s latest announcement.

Recent Headlines

22 hours ago in Community Events, Entertainment, Lifestyle

Brantley Gilbert announced to headline Northwest Washington Fair in Lynden

Ticket options for Brantley Gilbert will include a new Party Pit - a standing room only section with a private beer garden right in front of the stage.

5 days ago in Sports, Trending

Tom Brady says he’s weighed coming out of retirement, but the NFL doesn’t like the idea

Tom Brady revealed in an interview released on Thursday that he considered coming out of retirement, but the National Football League wasn't particularly receptive to the idea.

5 days ago in National, Trending

Savannah Guthrie to return to ‘Today’ on April 6 after mother’s disappearance

After a two-month absence sparked by her 84-year-old mother's apparent abduction, Savannah Guthrie will return to NBC's "Today" show next month, saying in an interview that aired Friday "joy will be my protest."

6 days ago in Entertainment, Features, Lifestyle, We Are Whatcom

Brady McAtee: “The Last Yodeling Cowboy” & ventriloquist

BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – To many, country music is summed up to be an over-saturated genre that leans heavily on…

6 days ago in Community Events, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Lifestyle Lookout

Lifestyle Lookout: Bellingham Children’s Film Festival, live music and dry weather in Whatcom County

Get outside and enjoy it while it lasts. We have a bunch of fun events for you in this week’s Lifestyle Lookout.