Seattle's Restaurant Alliance is warning of cutbacks, and cost spikes as a result of an increase in the city's minimum wage.

Seattle now has the highest minimum wage in the county at $20.76. The second highest is a tied between the city of Tukwila and unincorporated parts of King County at $20.29 an hour.

Seattle political leaders will not push forward to extend the city’s tip credit. Now, small restaurant and bar owners are preparing new solutions to make ends meet including plans for

Seattle employees making the minimum wage will see a mandatory raise starting next year, making them the highest paid minimum wage workers in the country. Starting at the beginning of 2025, all employers regardless of size will be required to pay their employees at least $20.

The city of Seattle's minimum wage will increase starting January 2025. The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) said an annual increase to the minimum wage is required by the Minimum Wage Ordinance.

The tip credit for restaurants with 500 or fewer employees is also expiring, raising the minimum wage for all of Seattle's small and large businesses in 2025.