Seattle minimum wage hits $20.76 an hour — and it’s not the area’s highest

Seattle’s minimum wage has increased to $20.76 per hour starting on New Year’s Day, making it one of the highest in the country. All employers in Seattle are now subject to the same minimum wage, a change from previous varying thresholds.
The owner of Bebop Waffle Shop closed her business due to the new minimum wage law, citing high inflation and decreased foot traffic. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that 9.2 million workers will see their wages increase by a total of $5.7 billion due to new minimum wage laws.