Washington PFML Calculator 2026
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave 2026: total premium 0.92% of gross wages (up to SSA cap), split between employee (about 71% — roughly 0.6%) and employer (about 29% — roughly 0.4%, only if 50+ employees). Maximum benefit $1,542/week.
| Annual gross wages | — |
| Wages subject to PFML (SSA cap) | — |
| Total PFML rate (2026) | 0.92% |
| Total premium | — |
| Employee share (71.43%) | — |
| Employer share | — |
| Average weekly wage | — |
| Estimated weekly benefit (max $1,542) | — |
| Max 18-week payout (combined) | — |
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) is funded by a 0.92% premium on wages in 2026 (up to the Social Security wage cap of $168,600). The premium is split 71.43% employee / 28.57% employer for businesses with 50+ employees. Smaller employers may opt out of paying the employer share, leaving employees to pay only their portion. Last updated May 2026.
Washington PFML Premium Structure 2026
Employees pay roughly 0.6573% of wages (71.43% of 0.92%) and employers with 50+ workers pay the remaining 0.2627% (28.57% of 0.92%). For example, a worker earning $80,000 pays about $526/year in PFML premium; the employer contributes another $210. Employers can choose to cover the entire premium voluntarily — many tech firms in Seattle do this as a benefit. Source: Washington Employment Security Department (ESD).
Benefit Calculation: Up to $1,542 per Week
PFML benefits replace 90% of wages up to 50% of the State Average Weekly Wage ($930.50 in 2026), plus 50% of wages above that threshold, capped at a max weekly benefit of $1,542. Workers earning the SAWW or less get 90% replacement. Higher earners get a blended rate. The formula favors lower-wage workers — exactly as designed by the legislature in RCW 50A.
Leave Types and Duration
PFML covers (1) Medical Leave for your own serious health condition (up to 12 weeks), (2) Family Leave for bonding with a new child or caring for a seriously ill family member (up to 12 weeks), and (3) Combined Medical+Family Leave (up to 16 weeks, or 18 weeks if you experience pregnancy complications). Most claims are for childbirth recovery + bonding (often used as a combined 18-week leave).
Common Washington PFML Mistakes
(1) Forgetting it's premium-capped at SSA wages — earnings above $168,600 in 2026 are NOT subject to PFML premium. (2) Small-employer confusion — under 50 employees: only employee pays. 50+: employer must pay 28.57% share. (3) Missing the 820-hour rule — you must work 820 hours in the qualifying period (about 16 hours/week for a year) to be eligible. (4) Skipping the 7-day waiting period — most leaves have a 7-day unpaid waiting period before benefits start (waived for bonding leave).