Washington's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Washington is $17.13 an hour, $9.88 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. It rises to $17.73 on Jan 1, 2027. Full time, that is $35,630 a year before taxes. Source Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $30,315 a year, or $1,165.96 every two weeks.
What the Washington minimum wage pays
| At $17.13 | From Jan 1, 2027 ($17.73) | |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $17.13 | $17.73 |
| Per 8-hour day | $137.04 | $141.84 |
| Per 40-hour week | $685.20 | $709.20 |
| Every two weeks | $1,370.40 | $1,418.40 |
| Per month | $2,969.20 | $3,073.20 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $35,630.40 | $36,878.40 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $1,165.96 | $1,203.85 |
| Take-home per year | $30,314.96 | $31,300.10 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Washington income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $17,815 a year and about $16,034 after taxes.
Washington minimum wage rules
Local minimum wages. Washington's rate is a floor: it is higher in some cities. Where a city or county sets a higher rate, employers there must pay the higher one.
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Washington's minimum wage is $17.13 an hour in 2026 and rises to $17.73 an hour on January 1, 2027. Tipped workers get the full minimum wage; tips and service charges cannot count toward it. Some cities set higher minimums. | Washington L&I, Minimum Wage |
| Tips and the minimum wage | Your employer cannot use your tips or service charges to make up any part of your hourly minimum wage, and all tips and service charges must be paid to employees. | Washington L&I, Minimum Wage |
| Overtime | Most workers must get at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a 7-day workweek. Washington does not require overtime just for working more than 8 hours in one day. | Washington L&I, Overtime |
How Washington's minimum wage compares
Washington has the 2nd-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC.
The typical (median) worker in Washington earns $30.28 an hour, so the minimum wage is 57% of the median wage. 10% of Washington workers earn less than $18.59 an hour and 25% less than $22.61 (BLS, May 2025, all 3,550,970 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Washington, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $16.80 | 2,830 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $17.92 | 9,530 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $18.13 | 94,710 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $18.16 | 4,720 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $18.17 | 7,000 |
| Demonstrators and Product Promoters | $18.59 | 4,020 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $35,630 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | None |
| 1 child | $2,551 | $3,713 |
| 2 children | $4,843 | $6,375 |
| 3 children or more | $5,758 | $7,290 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $35,630 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $891 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,782. Source
Washington minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Washington?
$17.13 an hour. It rises to $17.73 on Jan 1, 2027.
How much is the Washington minimum wage a year?
$35,630 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,969 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $30,315.
How much is the Washington minimum wage after taxes?
About $1,165.96 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Washington taxes.
Is Washington's minimum wage going up?
Yes. It rises to $17.73 an hour on Jan 1, 2027, adding $1,248 a year for a full-time worker.
What is time and a half at the Washington minimum wage?
$25.70 an hour for overtime hours.
Do cities in Washington have a higher minimum wage?
Yes: the minimum is higher in some cities. Employers must pay whichever rate is higher.
States with a similar minimum wage
District of Columbia minimum wage ($18.40) · Connecticut minimum wage ($16.94) · California minimum wage ($16.90) · Hawaii minimum wage ($16.00) · New York minimum wage ($16.00) · Rhode Island minimum wage ($16.00) · New Jersey minimum wage ($15.92) · Oregon minimum wage ($15.55)
Related
Washington paycheck calculator · $17 an hour is how much a year · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $17.13
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.