As 2025 begins, Washington state introduces several key laws aimed at improving worker protections, increasing safety, and expanding access to benefits. Along with personal resolutions, Washingtonians will see the implementation of these new regulations starting today.

Increased Minimum Wage in Washington

The state's minimum wage will rise to $16.66 per hour in 2025, a 38-cent increase from $16.28 in 2024. This adjustment, based on the state Department of Labor & Industries' calculations, reflects the increased costs of housing and food.

Washington held the highest state-level minimum wage in 2024 ($16.28), only behind Washington D.C., where the wage was $17. However, the federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 per hour.

Cities and counties in Washington have the ability to set their own higher minimum wages. For instance, the King County Council approved a rate of $20.29 per hour for unincorporated areas of the county. Seattle, in particular, will have a minimum wage of $20.76 per hour, regardless of company size, with tips and medical benefits excluded from the wage calculation.

Additionally, businesses with fewer than 50 employees must pay overtime-exempt workers twice the minimum wage, while businesses with 51 or more employees must pay 2.25 times the minimum wage.

In 2025, noncompete agreements will only be enforceable when the employee or contractor earns a set threshold: $123,394.17 for employees and $308,485.43 for independent contractors.

Higher Earnings for Ride-Share Drivers

Starting in 2025, ride-share drivers working for platforms like Uber and Lyft will earn more. In Seattle, drivers will receive 68 cents per passenger platform minute and $1.59 per passenger platform mile, or $5.95—whichever is greater. Outside of Seattle, they will earn 39 cents per passenger platform minute and $1.34 per passenger platform mile, or $3.45—whichever is greater.

Expanded Worker Protections for App-Based Workers in Seattle

A new law in Seattle aims to protect workers who rely on app-based services like DoorDash or UberEats. Effective from January 1, app-based workers can no longer be dismissed without cause or a fair process. This law, approved in August 2023, seeks to protect workers from arbitrary deactivation for reasons such as order rejection, unavailability, or algorithmic errors. It also gives workers the right to challenge unfair terminations.

Changes for Healthcare Workers

Healthcare workers in Washington will benefit from new protections in 2025. Nurses, specialists, and other staff in direct patient care will no longer be required to work overtime hours, except in specific circumstances, such as an unforeseeable event or pre-scheduled on-call time. The law sets limits on the number of overtime hours, including more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period or 80 hours in a 14-day period.

Stricter License Plate Rules

Drivers who cover or alter their license plates will now face fines of $145, as a new state law takes effect in 2025. Previously, drivers who used covers or altered plates were only given written warnings, but the new law aims to deter the practice.

Tougher Penalties for Negligent Drivers

The updated law for negligent driving will impose stricter penalties on drivers who cause death or serious injury to vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and cyclists. If a driver causes the death of a vulnerable user, penalties will include a fine of $5,000, up to 364 days in jail, and a 90-day driving suspension. For serious injuries, the penalties include a fine, traffic school, community service, and a driving suspension.

Crane Safety Laws

New laws focused on tower crane safety will take effect in 2025, following a deadly crane collapse in Seattle in 2019. Companies must now obtain a permit to operate cranes, implement safety zones, and appoint an assembly/disassembly director to manage crane operations. Employees will have the right to refuse work in unsafe conditions, and violations of the law resulting in employee deaths can lead to criminal charges and fines.

Expanded Paid Sick Leave

Starting in 2025, Washington will broaden its paid sick leave policies. Employees will be able to take paid sick leave to care for any person they have an established relationship with and who lives in their home. Additionally, employees will be allowed to use their sick leave if their workplace or child’s school closes due to public health orders or emergencies.

These laws reflect Washington’s commitment to improving worker rights, public safety, and public health as the new year begins.