Washington Minimum Wage: Rate, Tipped Wage, and Local Rules

Washington sets one of the highest statewide minimum wages in the country, and as of 2026 it is roughly $17 per hour for most workers age 16 and over (the 2025 rate was $16.66; the state announced an increase for 2026, so confirm the exact figure below before relying on it). Two features make Washington stand out. First, the state rate is more than double the federal minimum of $7.25 under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and Washington employers must pay the higher state figure. Second, Washington allows no tip credit at all: tips and service charges belong to employees on top of the full minimum wage, so a tipped worker's cash wage cannot be reduced below the state minimum the way it can under federal law.

Washington's statewide rate and how it is set

The Washington Minimum Wage Act (RCW 49.46) governs the state minimum wage. Unlike the federal minimum, which Congress has left frozen at $7.25 since 2009, Washington's rate is recalculated every year and adjusted for inflation. The Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) increases the minimum wage each year based on changes in the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) over the prior 12-month period ending in August. The new rate takes effect on January 1 and is announced by L&I in late September or early October of the preceding year.

Because the rate moves every year, you should always check the current number rather than rely on a figure you saw earlier. For reference, recent statewide rates were $15.74 (2023), $16.28 (2024), and $16.66 (2025), with a further increase effective January 1, 2026. Verify the exact 2026 amount with L&I before calculating pay.

Tipped workers: no tip credit in Washington

This is one of the biggest differences between Washington and federal law. Under the FLSA, an employer can pay a tipped worker a cash wage as low as $2.13 per hour and use the worker's tips to make up the gap to $7.25 (the "tip credit"). Washington flatly rejects this. Employers must pay the full state minimum wage in cash before tips. Tips and service charges are extra.

• Tips are the employee's property. An employer cannot count tips toward its minimum-wage obligation.
• Service charges (an automatic charge added to a bill, such as a banquet or large-party fee) must be disclosed to the customer, and any portion paid to employees must be itemized. Service charges are not the same as voluntary tips.
• Tip pooling among employees is generally allowed, but managers and supervisors may not keep employees' tips.

The practical result: in Washington, a server, bartender, barista, or delivery driver earns the full minimum wage per hour, plus whatever they make in tips on top.

Local minimum wages that beat the state rate

Several Washington cities have enacted their own minimum wages that are higher than the statewide figure, and these are updated on their own schedules. Where a local rate applies, the employer must pay the highest applicable wage (city, state, or federal). Cities and areas with their own higher minimums include:

• Seattle — the highest in the state, well above $20 per hour, indexed annually.
• SeaTac — a long-standing higher minimum for hospitality and transportation workers near the airport.
• Tukwila — a voter-approved minimum that tracks (and in some cases exceeds) Seattle's large-employer rate.
• Bellingham — a voter-approved minimum set above the state rate.
• Burien and Renton — local minimums adopted for larger employers.
• Unincorporated King County — a county minimum wage for areas outside city limits.

These local rates often vary by employer size and are adjusted yearly, so confirm the current number with the specific city or county before relying on it. If you work in one of these areas, your floor is the local rate, not the statewide minimum.

Who is covered and key exceptions

Most employees in Washington are covered by the state minimum wage. Some notable exceptions and special rules include:

• Workers under 16: 14- and 15-year-olds may be paid 85% of the adult minimum wage.
• Some agricultural, casual, and small-scale work may be treated differently under specific provisions of RCW 49.46.
• Certain workers with disabilities historically could be paid subminimum wages under special certificates, though Washington has been phasing these out.
• Overtime: like federal law, Washington requires 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Washington does not have a daily overtime requirement, but the higher base wage means overtime is calculated on a higher floor.

How to enforce your right to minimum wage

If you are paid less than the minimum wage that applies to your job and location, you have several options:

• File a wage complaint with L&I. The Department of Labor & Industries investigates unpaid wages and minimum-wage violations and can order an employer to pay what you are owed. Washington law gives workers a window of three years to recover unpaid wages in most cases.
• Keep records. Save pay stubs, schedules, time records, and any record of tips and hours worked. Documentation is the most powerful tool in a wage dispute.
• Anti-retaliation protection. It is illegal for an employer to fire, discipline, or retaliate against you for asserting your minimum-wage rights or filing a complaint.
• Local enforcement. In cities like Seattle, a local agency (for example, Seattle's Office of Labor Standards) may also enforce the city minimum wage.

Where to confirm the current rate

The authoritative source for Washington's statewide minimum wage is the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), which publishes the official rate each year along with the tip and overtime rules. For city-specific minimums, check the website of the relevant city or county (for example, the City of Seattle Office of Labor Standards). Because the statewide rate rises with inflation every January and local rates change on their own schedules, always verify the figure for the current year and your exact work location before counting on a number.

Official Washington Sources

This page is based on Washington employment law. Rules and figures change — verify the current details directly with the official Washington sources below. This is general legal information, not legal advice.

• Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) — official Washington agency.
• File a Worker Rights Complaint (Wage Complaint)
• Title 49 RCW: Labor Regulations

Federal law and local ordinances may also apply. Federal laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act set a national floor, and your city or county may add protections (such as a higher local minimum wage or paid sick leave). Check both alongside Washington state law.