Washington’s minimum wage is increasing to $9.04 an hour starting in January.

The Department of Labor and Industries announced the change Friday, raising the barrier from $8.67 an hour. The move will keep the state’s minimum wage as the highest in the nation.

Washington’s minimum wage is adjusted each year for inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index for the past 12 months, which is up more than 4 percent.

Oregon has the second highest minimum wage and recently announced that it will rise to $8.80 an hour in 2012.