Minimum Wage/Washington
Washington Minimum Wage 2026
The statewide rate, tipped rules, the exempt salary threshold, and the local minimums that exceed it. Every figure below is checked against primary sources.
| Tipped minimum | No tip credit; tipped employees receive the full $17.13 / hour |
|---|---|
| Exempt salary threshold | $80,168.40 / year ($1,541.70/wk; 2.25× state minimum) |
How Washington’s exempt salary threshold compares across all six states
Local rates above the state minimum
Hourly minimums compared
Hourly minimum wage as verified August 18, 2026. Bars start at $0.
SeaTac, Renton, Bellingham, Everett, Burien, and unincorporated King County set their own higher minimums.
Deep dive: Seattle
Rate record
What has taken effect, what we have checked, and what is coming next.
January 1, 2026
State minimum in effect: $17.13 / hour
August 18, 2026
Every figure on this page re-verified against the primary sources below.Latest check
~Sep 30, 2026
L&I announces the 2027 CPI-adjusted rate around September 30.
Jan 1, 2027
Next year's rate takes effect. Subscribers get the new figures the week they are announced.
Questions employers ask
How is Seattle's minimum wage different from Washington state's in 2026?
Washington's statewide minimum is $17.13 per hour; Seattle requires $21.30 for employers of every size. Tukwila ($21.65) is currently the state's highest local rate.
Does Washington allow a tip credit?
No. Tipped employees must receive the full applicable minimum wage; state or local; before tips.
What is the exempt salary threshold in Washington in 2026?
$80,168.40 per year ($1,541.70 per week); 2.25 times the state minimum wage, applying to employers of all sizes in 2026.
When is Washington's next minimum wage announced?
The Department of Labor & Industries announces the next year's CPI-adjusted rate around September 30; it takes effect January 1.
Sources and caveats
Caveat: The $126,858.83 figure sometimes cited for Washington is the state's non-compete enforceability threshold, not the overtime exempt salary threshold.
Get notified when Washington changes its rate
State employment law changes, in plain English, with what to do about them.
State Law Briefing publishes legal information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm and reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a licensed employment attorney for guidance specific to your organization.