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General Wage Increase
The last general wage increase for state employees was a two percent increase in 2008 (July for represented, September for non-represented).
Washington does not use COLA (cost of living adjustment) methodology to determine across-the-board wage increases. Increases are negotiated for represented employees and approved by the Legislature for non-represented employees.
| Year | Percent Wage Increase | |
|---|---|---|
| *2006 - Teamsters negotiated 2.9% increase, all other received 1.6% | ||
| 1990 | 2.5 | |
| 1991 | 6 | |
| 1992 | 3.6 | |
| 1993 | 3 | |
| 1994 | 0 | |
| 1995 | 4 | |
| 1996 | 0 | |
| 1997 | 3 | |
| 1998 | 0 | |
| 1999 | 3 | |
| 2000 | 3 | |
| 2001 | 3.7 | |
| 2002 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 0 | |
| 2004 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 3.2 | |
| 2006 | 1.6 | |
| 2007 | 3.2 | |
| 2008 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 0 | |
| 2010 | 0 | |
Incremental Salary Increases
General Service classified employees (non-WMS) receive incremental salary increases each year until they reach the top step of their salary range. These step increases are automatic and are a permanent addition to the base pay.
As of June 2010, 36.3 percent of classified general service employees were eligible for a step increase. The remaining 63.7 percent of employees have reached the top of their pay ranges and are ineligible for step increases.
| FY | Workforce Headcount | |
|---|---|---|
| Decrease in Eligibility of 9.4 percentage points | ||
| FY 2008 | 45.7 | |
| FY 2009 | 40.0 | |
| FY 2010 | 36.3 | |
Salary Freeze
As a result of legislation (SSB 5460), all salary increases for WMS and at-will positions have been frozen effective February 15, 2009, through June 30, 2011.