Minimum wage in Washington in 2026
The minimum wage in Washington is $17.13 an hour in 2026, and up to $21.78 in Burien. It rises to $17.73 on January 1, 2027, as announced by the state.
Checked against official sources.
Washington minimum wage at a glance
- An hour
- $17.13
- A week, 40 hours
- $685.20
- A year, 2,080 hours
- $35,630
- Tipped cash wage
- $17.13same as minimum wage
In effect since . A year means 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, before taxes.
Upcoming raises
- $17.73 an hour, $36,878 a year (announced by the state)
Local minimum wages in Washington
These places set their own, higher minimum wage. If you work there, your employer must pay the local rate.
| Place | Minimum wage | Since | Next |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burien | $21.78 | January 1, 2026 | $22.49 on January 1, 2027 |
| Tukwila | $21.65 | January 1, 2026 | $22.45 on January 1, 2027 |
| Renton | $21.57 | January 1, 2026 | $22.28 on January 1, 2027 |
| Seattle | $21.30 | January 1, 2026 | $22.14 on January 1, 2027 |
| Unincorporated King County | $20.82 | January 1, 2026 | $21.57 on January 1, 2027 |
| Everett | $20.77 | January 1, 2026 | $21.52 on January 1, 2027 |
| SeaTac | $20.74 | January 1, 2026 | $21.47 on January 1, 2027 |
| Bellingham | $19.13 | January 1, 2026 | $19.73 on January 1, 2027 |
Tipped workers
Washington does not allow a tip credit. Tipped workers must be paid the full $17.13 an hour before tips. Tips and service charges cannot count toward it.
Who gets a different rate
- Workers aged 14 and 15: $14.56 an hour. 85% of the state minimum wage. It rises to $15.07 on January 1, 2027
Washington minimum wage by year
| Year | Rate on January 1 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $14.49 |
| 2023 | $15.74 |
| 2024 | $16.28 |
| 2025 | $16.66 |
| 2026 | $17.13 |
Washington's Department of Labor & Industries adjusts the rate every January 1 for inflation (the CPI-W, August to August) and announces it by September 30.
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in Washington in 2026?
The minimum wage in Washington is $17.13 an hour in 2026, and up to $21.78 in Burien. It rises to $17.73 on January 1, 2027, as announced by the state.
How much is minimum wage a year in Washington?
At $17.13 an hour, a full-time worker on 40 hours a week earns $685.20 a week and $35,630 a year before taxes.
What is the minimum wage for tipped workers in Washington?
Washington does not allow a tip credit. Tipped workers must be paid the full $17.13 an hour before tips. Tips and service charges cannot count toward it.
When does the minimum wage go up in Washington?
It rises to $17.73 on January 1, 2027. Washington's Department of Labor & Industries adjusts the rate every January 1 for inflation (the CPI-W, August to August) and announces it by September 30.
Which cities in Washington have a higher minimum wage?
Burien ($21.78), Tukwila ($21.65), Renton ($21.57), Seattle ($21.30), unincorporated King County ($20.82), Everett ($20.77), SeaTac ($20.74) and Bellingham ($19.13) have their own minimum wages above the state rate. Workers there get the local rate.
Is there a different minimum wage for some workers in Washington?
Workers aged 14 and 15: $14.56 an hour (85% of the state minimum wage. It rises to $15.07 on January 1, 2027).
Minimum wage in other Western states
Sources
Every rate on this page comes from the official pages below. Checked .
- Minimum Wage, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- History of Washington State's Minimum Wage, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- Washington's minimum wage rises to $17.73 an hour in 2027, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, updated
- Minimum Wage, City of Burien, updated
- Local minimum wage rates, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- Labor Standards - Minimum Wage Ordinance, City of Tukwila
- Local minimum wage rates, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- Labor Standards, City of Renton
- Local minimum wage rates, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- Minimum Wage Ordinance, City of Seattle Office of Labor Standards
- Office of Labor Standards Announces Seattle's 2027 Minimum Wage, City of Seattle (GovDelivery bulletin), updated
- Minimum wage in unincorporated King County, King County
- Local minimum wage rates, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- Minimum wage, City of Everett
- Local minimum wage rates, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- City of SeaTac announces 2027 minimum wage adjustments, City of SeaTac, updated
- City of SeaTac announces 2026 minimum wage adjustments, City of SeaTac, updated
- Employment standards for hospitality and transportation employers, City of SeaTac
- City Minimum Wage, City of Bellingham, updated
- Local minimum wage rates, Washington State Department of Labor & Industries
- State Minimum Wage Laws, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, updated
- Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, updated
- Changes in Basic Minimum Wages in Non-Farm Employment Under State Law, 1968 to 2024, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
Laws change. If your pay is below these rates, contact your state labor department or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-487-9243.