Washington Minimum Wage 2026: $16.66/hr Calculator

How Washington Minimum Wage Compares to the Federal Rate

Washington's 2026 minimum wage of $16.66 per hour is $9.41 above the $7.25 federal minimum. The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has not changed since 2009, meaning workers in states like Washington rely on state law for meaningful wage floors.

At $16.66/hr working full-time (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year), a Washington worker earns $34,652.80 gross annually. That equals $666.40 per week and roughly $2,887.73 per month.

These figures are gross (before taxes). Your take-home pay will be lower after federal income tax, Social Security (6.2%), and Medicare (1.45%) deductions. Use our Washington Income Tax Calculator for a net-pay estimate.

Last updated: May 2026. Rates sourced from the Washington Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.

Tipped Workers in Washington

The tipped minimum wage in Washington is $16.66 per hour in 2026. This is the same as the regular minimum wage — Washington does not allow a tipped credit.

Tipped workers covered by Washington law include restaurant servers, bartenders, valets, and other service workers who regularly receive tips. Always check your pay stub to ensure your employer is meeting the full minimum wage requirement.

Note: Highest in nation; seattle $20.76.

Washington Wage Increase Schedule

The 2026 minimum wage for Washington is $16.66/hr. Here is what workers and employers should know about upcoming changes: Highest in nation; seattle $20.76.

Employers must post the current Washington minimum wage notice at their place of business. Violations can result in back-pay orders and civil penalties. Workers who believe they are being underpaid can file a complaint with the Washington Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor.

Bookmark this page — we update Washington wage data each time the state announces a new rate, including CPI-indexed adjustments.