Hourly Minimum Wage in Washington

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The state-wide minimum wage for Washington is $15.74 per hour as of January 01, 2023.

View all Washington minimum wage values

Hourly Minimum Wage for Washington and neighboring states in 2023

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Washington minimum wage rate is $15.74 per hour in 2023. Workers receive a higher minimum wage in Washington that exceeds the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25. The Washington minimum wage applies to most employees, with limited exceptions, including certain tipped employees, students or part-time workers, and other exempt occupations. The top 5 minimum wage states in the U.S. are District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour and has not increased since 2009. Demand for a living wage that is fair to workers is rising. In response to this rising demand, numerous states, cities, and other localities have already enacted or will change minimum wage levels. In the few states with no established minimum wage, the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour will continue to apply.
Based on local legislation, many states have already enacted minimum wage increases or approved increases due for implementation at a future date.
These ever-changing laws, effective dates, and methodologies result in minimum wages that may change at different times or differ dramatically within a state or region. Minimum wage changes can be triggered for a location when these pre-determined conditions change and require careful monitoring to ensure compliance to the latest wage levels.
Salary.com continuously tracks all these complex changes. We can help to keep you informed about future changes and stay up to date on the latest minimum wage levels in your essential locations. Show me more data to view U.S. state minimum wages for future years.

Browse Minimum Wage by Year, and Forecast Minimum Wage Increase Trends in Washington

The minimum wages in some states are higher than the federal minimum wage in 2023, including District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and others. Many of the minimum wage increases were effective on January 01, 2023. Some states have effective dates occurring at different months of the year. Check the chart to stay up to date on the hourly minimum wage in Washington.
View upcoming minimum wage changes to be on top of future changes to the minimum wage in your location.
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Hourly Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees in Washington

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The tipped minimum wage is the lowest amount employers can pay an employee in occupations such as a bartender or server, that regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips. In some states, the tipped minimum wage may be lower than the non-tipped minimum wage because employers can claim a tip credit.
It is important to note that the tipped minimum wage can vary depending on where your business is and the size of the business. In some states, the tipped minimum wage is equal to the overall minimum wage for that state. In some locations, the federal tipped minimum wage applies. In other locations, the state-tipped minimum wage is set above the federal minimum. Tipped minimum wages may vary from state to state and can be frequently adjusted, making it essential to stay informed about the latest wage levels.
In Washington, the tipped minimum wage is the same as the state minimum wage. It may be subject to adjustment based on other criteria, such as the size of the business.
See tipped data learn more about tipped and non-tipped minimum wage in Washington.

Detailed Minimum Wage Data in Washington

Certain cities, counties, municipalities, or economic zones may have different minimum wage levels in Washington. Depending on the state, additional rules and factors may determine the minimum wage levels for a particular occupation or type of business.
The Washington minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum wage in 2023. According to our location-specific minimum wage data in Washington, many cities in CA have a minimum wage above the state minimum. Many California localities (city and county) have their own minimum wages. It could be higher or lower than the state level based on the cost of living, salary, job opportunities, and other factors.
Get city level data in your location to get pay right.

What is the minimum wage in Washington in 2023?

Washington minimum wage in 2021: US$13.96 (effective January 1, 2021)

Washington minimum wage in 2020: US$13.50

Washington minimum wage in 2000: US$6.50 ($10.01 after inflation adjustment)

Washington minimum wage in 1980: US$2.30 ($7.71 after inflation adjustment)

People's Opinions on Minimum Wage in Washington

The FAS Director shall have the authority to issue a special certificate authorizing an employer to pay a wage less than the Seattle minimum wage but above the Washington State minimum wage.

09/04/2021

Our unpaid wage lawyers in Seattle can help you understand the complexities of this exception and whether you are entitled to protections under the FLSA and Washington Minimum Wage Act.

08/25/2021

(Washington Hours Worked Page) Where your gross pay divided by the number of hours actually worked is less than the minimum wage rate, a minimum wage claim lawsuit can be brought.

08/21/2021

In addition to any Washington-specific minimum wage exemptions described above, the Federal Fair Labor Standards act defines special minimum wage rates applicable to certain types of workers.

08/17/2021

The minimum wage increased wages for workers in the restaurant industry, without reducing employment overall -- in contrast to the findings from the University of Washington.

08/03/2021

Yes, the minimum wage has increased in Washington state and will continue to rise for at least the next year—and after that, it could still rise every year depending on inflation.

07/31/2021

This data allowed the University of Washington to calculate average hourly wages and to identify the jobs and industries that have been affected by the increases to the minimum wage.

07/21/2021

Washington’s Minimum Wage Act is Washington’s equivalent to FLSA and provides similar protections to Washington employees, including a higher minimum wage as well as paid sick and safe time.

07/18/2021

If your employer has not paid you overtime wages or the minimum wage, you can bring a private lawsuit in court instead of filing a complaint with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industry.

07/16/2021

This page provides a quick overview of federal, state, and local minimum wage laws that apply to Washington State local and state government agencies, including examples of local living wage codes.

07/04/2021

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Minimum Wage by State in 2023