What is the minimum wage in Washington in 2026?

The minimum wage in Washington is $17.13 per hour in 2026. Highest in nation; seattle $21.30.

What is the tipped minimum wage in Washington?

The tipped minimum wage in Washington is $17.13 per hour in 2026. Employers must ensure total earnings including tips reach $17.13/hr.

How much is $17.13/hr annually?

At $17.13/hr working 40 hours/week for 52 weeks, annual gross pay is $35,630.40 before taxes.

Does Washington minimum wage apply to all workers?

Most employees in Washington are covered. Exceptions may include small businesses, farm workers, and certain student/training wages.

When did Washington last change its minimum wage?

Washington's current rate of $17.13/hr reflects the 2026 schedule. Highest in nation; seattle $21.30.

Washington Minimum Wage 2026: $17.13/hr Calculator

Calculate weekly, monthly, and annual gross pay at Washington's 2026 minimum wage. Includes tipped worker earnings.

Hourly Rate ($) State minimum: $17.13/hr

Hours per Week

Weeks Worked per Year

Tipped Worker?

How Washington Minimum Wage Compares to the Federal Rate

Washington's 2026 minimum wage of $17.13 per hour is $9.88 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 $17.13/hr working full-time (40 hours/week, 52 weeks/year), a Washington worker earns $35,630.40 gross annually. That equals $685.20 per week and roughly $2,969.20 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: August 2026. Rates sourced from the Washington Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.

Washington Cities With a Higher Minimum Wage in 2026

The $17.13 state floor is the minimum, not the maximum. Several Washington cities set their own higher rate, and the city rate wins wherever you actually perform the work. Seattle is the highest: $21.30 per hour in 2026, up from $20.76 in 2025, under the city's Minimum Wage Ordinance. SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton, Burien and Everett also run local wage ordinances with their own schedules and their own coverage rules, so check the city you work in rather than the city you live in. Washington allows no tip credit at any level — tips are always on top of the full hourly rate. Confirm the current state figure on the Washington L&I minimum wage page, which publishes the following year's rate each autumn based on the CPI-W.

Tipped Workers in Washington

The tipped minimum wage in Washington is $17.13 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 $21.30.

Washington Wage Increase Schedule

The 2026 minimum wage for Washington is $17.13/hr. Here is what workers and employers should know about upcoming changes: Highest in nation; seattle $21.30.

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.