Washington Minimum Wage (2026)
Washington’s minimum wage is $17.13 — $9.88 above the federal $7.25, effective January 1, 2026. Tipped: no tip credit — tipped workers get the full minimum. Next change: CPI-indexed adjustment scheduled for January 1, 2027.
The minimum wage in Washington is $17.13/hour in 2026 (effective January 1, 2026).
- Minimum wage$17.13
- Tipped minimumFull minimum (no tip credit)
- Next scheduled changeCPI-indexed adjustment on January 1, 2027
- Full-time annual (40 hrs/wk)$35,630
Source: state labor department / U.S. DOL, verified July 2026.
Scheduled future increases
| Effective date | New rate |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2027 | CPI-indexed adjustment |
These are enacted in statute or triggered by indexing law — not proposals.
Local minimum wages above the state rate
| Locality | 2026 minimum |
|---|---|
| Tukwila | $21.65 |
| Burien (500+ employees) | $21.63 |
| Renton (500+ employees) | $21.57 |
| Seattle | $21.30 |
| King County unincorporated (500+ employees) | $20.82 |
| Everett (500+ employees) | $20.77 |
| SeaTac (hospitality/transportation) | $20.74 |
| Bellingham | $19.13 |
Local ordinances control for work performed within their boundaries, even for out-of-town employers.
Washington vs. neighboring states
Washington minimum wage history
| Year | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $17.13 |
| 2024 | $16.28 |
| 2023 | $15.74 |
| 2022 | $14.49 |
| 2021 | $13.69 |
| 2020 | $13.50 |
| 2019 | $13.50 |
| 2018 | $11.50 |
| 2017 | $11.00 |
| 2016 | $9.47 |
| 2015 | $9.47 |
| 2014 | $9.32 |
| 2013 | $9.19 |
| 2012 | $9.04 |
| 2011 | $8.67 |
| 2010 | $8.55 |
| 2009 | $8.55 |
| 2008 | $8.07 |
| 2007 | $7.93 |
| 2006 | $7.63 |
| 2005 | $7.35 |
| 2004 | $7.16 |
| 2003 | $7.01 |
| 2002 | $6.90 |
| 2001 | $6.72 |
| 2000 | $6.50 |
Historical rates from the U.S. DOL year-by-year tables (January snapshots; mid-year changes appear in the following year’s row).
Carve-outs & details
No tip credit. Local 2026 rates per WA L&I; Seattle $21.30 confirmed by seattle.gov (2025: $20.76). Everett/Renton mid-size employer tiers step up on 7-1-2026 ($19.77/$21.57). 2025 state value ($16.66) omitted - not in fetched sources.
Frequently asked questions
What is minimum wage in Washington in 2026?
$17.13 per hour, effective January 1, 2026, which is $9.88 above the federal $7.25.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Washington?
Tipped workers must be paid the full state minimum before tips — Washington does not allow a tip credit.
When does Washington's minimum wage go up next?
CPI-indexed adjustment takes effect January 1, 2027.
How much is full-time minimum wage in Washington per year?
At 40 hours/week for 52 weeks, $17.13/hour is $35,630 per year before taxes.
Sources & methodology
Sources: Washington labor department · U.S. DOL consolidated table · U.S. DOL historical tables.
Verified against the state labor agency and U.S. DOL, July 2026. Wage law has industry- and size-specific exceptions; confirm your situation with the state agency.