Washington Minimum Wage 2026
Last updated: · Source: Washington Department of Labor
Washington · Minimum Wage 2026
Effective 2026-01-01
Data last verified: 2026-07-09
Tipped Rate
$17.33/hr
Tip Credit
None
Exempt Salary
$1155.58/wk
Effective Date
2026-01-01
Washington Wage Calculator
Current Washington Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Washington is $17.33 per hour in 2026, effective 2026-01-01. This is above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employers must pay the higher of the two rates, so the Washington rate applies. See the federal minimum wage page for how the FLSA floor applies nationwide.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay the highest minimum wage that legally applies to a work location, whether set federally, by the state, or by a city or county ordinance.
Washington Tipped Minimum Wage
Washington does not allow employers to take a tip credit. All employees, including servers, bartenders, and other tipped workers, must be paid the full minimum wage of $17.33/hr in cash wages, regardless of tips received.
Washington Exempt Employee Salary Threshold (2026)
An "exempt" employee is a salaried worker who, by law, isn't entitled to overtime pay (time-and-a-half) for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Whether a salaried employee actually qualifies as exempt depends on both their pay and their job duties. Washington sets its own exempt salary threshold, which is higher than the federal level. Salaried exempt employees must earn at least $1155.58/week ($60,090/year) in 2026 to be exempt from overtime requirements.
City & County Minimum Wages in Washington
Washington permits cities and counties to set higher local minimum wage rates. The following cities have rates above the state minimum:
| City / County | 2026 Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | $20.76/hr | Large employers (501+ employees) pay $20.76/hr. Small employers (1–500): $19.06/hr. |
| Tacoma | $17.33/hr | Follows Washington state rate. |
| Spokane | $17.33/hr (state rate) | Follows Washington state rate of $17.33/hr. |
| Bellevue | $17.33/hr (state rate) | Follows Washington state rate of $17.33/hr. |
| Bellingham | $17.33/hr (state rate) | Follows Washington state rate of $17.33/hr. |
| Renton | $17.33/hr (state rate) | Follows Washington state rate of $17.33/hr. |
| Vancouver | $17.33/hr (state rate) | Follows Washington state rate. Not Vancouver, Canada. |
Washington Minimum Wage History
The following table shows minimum wage rates in Washington over the past several years.
| Year | Minimum Wage | Effective Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $17.33/hr | 2026-01-01 | |
| 2025 | $16.66/hr | 2025-01-01 | |
| 2024 | $16.28/hr | 2024-01-01 | |
| 2023 | $15.74/hr | 2023-01-01 | |
| 2022 | $14.49/hr | 2022-01-01 | |
| 2021 | $13.69/hr | 2021-01-01 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum wage in Washington is $17.33 per hour in 2026, effective 2026-01-01. Washington does not allow a tip credit: tipped employees earn the full $17.33/hr rate.
Washington raised its minimum wage to $17.33/hr on January 1, 2026, a 2.8% increase. No tip credit: tipped employees earn the full rate.
Washington does not allow employers to take a tip credit. All employees, including tipped workers, must be paid the full minimum wage of $17.33 per hour.
In Washington, salaried exempt employees must earn at least $1155.58/week ($60,090/year) to qualify for the overtime exemption, higher than the federal threshold.
Yes, some cities in Washington set higher local minimum wage rates. Seattle: $20.76/hr, Tacoma: $17.33/hr.