On May 14, King County Council agreed to raise the minimum wage to $20.29 per hour in all unincorporated areas of the county starting on Jan. 1, 2025. For reference, the minimum wage in incorporated King County currently stands at $19.97 for businesses with over 500 employees and $17.25 for businesses with less than 500. This includes most of the land in King County east of the Woodinville-Issaquah line, with the exceptions of certain towns such as Duvall, Carnation and Snoqualmie. The legislation targets unincorporated King County, as these areas have historically lower minimum wages than incorporated areas.

Council members in support of the legislation cited the growing cost of living in the region as a major motivation for the proposal. Median rent in Seattle stands at $1,877, which is $577 more than the national median, according to the United States Census Bureau, and gas costs 27.8% more in Washington than the rest of the U.S., according to the AAA website. By raising the minimum wage, members of the council hope to create a more affordable community for those living in unincorporated King County. There will be concessions for small businesses however, with businesses under 500 employees building up gradually from their current wage until they meet the mandated $20.29.