Minimum wage › Washington
Minimum wage and worker rights in Washington (2026)
Official data from the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and the U.S. Department of Labor, checked on October 5, 2026.
STATE MINIMUM WAGE
$17.13 /hourSince January 1, 2026.
Federal: $7.25.
Federal: $7.25.
Youth ages 14–15 ($15.07 from Jan 2027): $14.56Announced: rises to $17.73 on January 1, 2027.
Adjusted each January for inflation. No tip credit. Several cities pay more (Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila).
Overtime1.5× after 40 h a weekNo daily overtime. The salary needed to be exempt is higher than the federal level.
Sick leave1 h per 40 worked, no annual capAll employers. Usable after 90 days; up to 40 h carry over. Seattle and Tacoma have their own laws.
VacationDepends on your employer's policyNo law requires vacation or payout at separation; your employer's policy applies.
Paid family leaveState insurance (PFML): up to 12 weeks (16 combined; 18 with pregnancy complications) at up to 90% of wages, max $1,647/week in 2026 and $1,727 from 2027-01-01.
Your city may pay more9 cities and counties have their own minimum wage. See the table below.
Cities and counties with their own minimum wage
| PLACE | MINIMUM | TIPPED | SINCE |
|---|---|---|---|
| BellinghamIf you work inside city limits, wherever your employer is based. It equals the state minimum + $2.00 | $19.13 | — | January 1, 2026 |
| BurienAll employers in Burien. The main rate is for employers with 501+ employees | $21.78 | — | January 1, 2026 |
| EverettEmployers with 15+ employees or $2M+ revenue. Main rate is for 500+ employees in WA | $20.77 | — | January 1, 2026 |
| King County (unincorporated areas)Only unincorporated King County, not cities like Bellevue or Kent. Main rate: 500+ employees. From 2027: $21.57 for almost all; $19.57 for 15 or fewer employees with under $2M revenue | $20.82 | — | January 1, 2026 |
| RentonEmployers with 15+ employees or $2M+ revenue in Renton. Smaller ones pay the state minimum | $21.57 | — | July 1, 2026 |
| SeaTacOnly hotels and airport-related transportation (car rental, parking, etc.). Others get the state minimum | $20.74 | — | January 1, 2026 |
| SeattleIf you work inside Seattle city limits | $21.30 | — | January 1, 2026 |
| TacomaIf you work 80+ h a year inside Tacoma. The minimum wage is the state rate | — | — | |
| TukwilaEmployers with 15+ employees, $2M+ revenue in Tukwila, or large franchises. Others: state minimum | $21.65 | — | January 1, 2026 |
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Open Work →Official sources
Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)lni.wa.govMinimum wage · Washingtonlni.wa.govMinimum wage · Washingtondol.govOvertime · Washingtonlni.wa.govSick leave · Washingtonlni.wa.govBellingham: minimum wagecob.orgBellingham: minimum wagelni.wa.govBurien: minimum wageburienwa.govEverett: minimum wageeverettwa.govKing County (unincorporated areas): minimum wagekingcounty.govRenton: minimum wagerentonwa.govSeaTac: minimum wagebusiness.wa.govSeaTac: minimum wageseatacwa.govSeattle: minimum wageseattle.govTacoma: minimum wagecityoftacoma.orgTacoma: minimum wagetdocs.tacoma.govTukwila: minimum wagetukwilawa.gov
PlainRefund is not a government app. This is general information, not legal advice: always confirm with the official source or your state's labor department.