Except where a higher minimum wage is required by Washington state or federal law:

(1) Every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees who have reached their 16th or 17th year of age a rate of pay per hour which is equal to the hourly rate required by RCW 49.46.020 for employees 18 years of age or older, whether computed on an hourly, commission, piecework, or other basis, except as may be otherwise provided under this chapter.

(2) Every employer shall pay to each of his or her employees who have not reached their 16th year of age a rate of pay per hour that is not less than 85 percent of the hourly rate required by RCW 49.46.020 for employees 18 years of age or older whether computed on an hourly, commission, piecework, or other basis, except as may be otherwise provided under this chapter.