INDUSTRY WAGES HAVE RISEN 82% IN PAST TEN YEARS

On January 1st, Washington Minimum Wage Increased to $16.28. Several cities are even higher, including Seattle at $19.97, SeaTac at $19.71, Tukwila at $20.29, and Renton at $20.29.

The Washington legislature passed a phased increase to the minimum wage that took effect on January 1st, 2016. Each year, L&I is required to make a cost-of-living adjustment to the minimum wage based on the CPI-W. This resulted in a 75% increase over the past 10 years.

Although the minimum wage rate does not directly impact us, it does indirectly. Nationally, only 1.4% of workers earn minimum wage. We have always paid above minimum wage for our entry-level positions. Our work is more demanding, requiring additional effort and training compared to most traditional minimum wage jobs. Our current entry-level wage is $20.00, and our average wage is $22.77. These figures have increased by 82% over the past 10 years and by 19% over the past 3 years, driven by historically low unemployment levels and a strong economy. Seattle area unemployment is sitting at 4.5%.

We work hard to maintain a great work environment, which has helped us attract and retain a great staff. We also utilize the H-2B Visa program for our seasonal labor. We hear about other contractors who struggle to perform their work due to labor shortages. We feel somewhat fortunate, but we know it is more than luck; it is our focus. All in all, we have a highly motivated and stable staff, and for that, we are proud.

GO TEAM ORANGE