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What is the minimum wage in Washington State?

Federal & State Law Editorial TeamLast reviewed: 2026-04-30

Washington minimum wage is governed by the Minimum Wage Act, RCW Chapter 49.46, and Initiative 1433 (2016).

1. Statewide Rate (2025)

  • $16.66/hour as of January 1, 2025 (RCW 49.46.020).
  • Annually adjusted to CPI-W (urban wage earners) for August-to-August change (RCW 49.46.020(3)).

    • 2. No Tip Credit

    Washington is one of seven states (with CA, OR, NV, MT, MN, AK) that prohibits any tip credit. Tipped employees must be paid the full $16.66/hour cash wage in addition to tips (WAC 296-126-022).

    3. Local Minimum Wages (2025)

  • Seattle: $20.76 (Schedule 1 — 500+ employees worldwide). Smaller employers paying ≥$2.72/hour toward medical: $20.76; not paying: also $20.76 (SMC 14.19).
  • SeaTac: $20.17 (hospitality and transportation industries — Initiative 1).
  • Tukwila: $21.10 large employers, $20.10 mid-size (effective 2025 under Tukwila Initiative 1).
  • Renton: $20.90 large, $18.90 mid-size (Initiative 23-02, effective July 2024).
  • Burien: $21.16 large employers (effective 2025).

    • Where local rate is higher, the local minimum applies.

    4. Youth Wage

    85% of state minimum wage for workers age 14-15 (RCW 49.46.020) — currently ~$14.16/hour.

    5. Overtime (RCW 49.46.130)

  • 1.5x after 40 hours/week.
  • No daily overtime under state law.
  • Salaried-exempt threshold: Washington's threshold is HIGHER than federal — $1,332.80/week ($69,305.60/year) for 2025 (small employers); $1,499.40/week ($77,968.80/year) for large employers (51+ employees). Phasing up to 2.5x state minimum by 2028 (WAC 296-128-545).

    • 6. Exemptions

    Washington follows federal FLSA categories but uses higher salary thresholds. Agricultural workers covered (with phase-in of OT).

    7. Agricultural Overtime

    Pursuant to Martinez-Cuevas v. DeRuyter Bros. Dairy, 196 Wn.2d 506 (2020), and SB 5172 (2021), Washington agricultural workers receive overtime — phased in:

  • 2024+: OT after 40 hours/week (fully phased in).

    • 8. Enforcement

    Washington Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Employment Standards Program. Private right of action: 3-year SOL under RCW 49.48.010, double damages for willful violations under RCW 49.52.070.

    This is legal information, not legal advice.

    When to Talk to a Lawyer
    • Your Seattle/Tukwila/Renton employer pays only the state minimum
    • Your employer takes a tip credit (illegal in WA)
    • You're salaried below WA's exempt threshold (~$69k+) but treated as exempt
    Related Statutes & Laws
    • RCW 49.46.020
    • RCW 49.46.130
    • RCW 49.48.010
    • RCW 49.52.070
    • WAC 296-128-545
    • WAC 296-126-022

    This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.