Washington Minimum Wage

The Washington minimum wage for 2026 and 2027, the tipped and youth rates, local city and county minimums, and how the rate is set each year. Every figure links to its official source below.

Washington minimum wage, 2026 and 2027

Rate	2026 (now)	2027
Standard minimum wage	$17.13	$17.73
Workers aged 14 and 15 85% of the adult rate.	$14.56	$15.07

Current rate in effect since January 1, 2026; next statewide change: the rate rises to $17.73 on January 1, 2027.

Tipped workers

Washington has no tip credit: businesses may not count tips or service charges toward an employee's hourly minimum wage, and all tips and service charges belong to the employee.

Minors, trainees and other rates

Workers who are 14 or 15 may be paid 85% of the adult minimum wage: $14.56 in 2026 and $15.07 from January 1, 2027.

Local minimum wages in Washington

Several Washington cities set a higher minimum wage and their own labor rules. Burien, Everett, Renton and unincorporated King County also have local rates that vary by employer size; L&I lists them all on its local minimum wage page.

City or county	Current rate	Next rate	Notes
Seattle	$21.30since January 1, 2026	$22.14January 1, 2027	All employers, any size. No tip credit. Adjusted by the Seattle-area CPI-W.
SeaTac	$20.74since January 1, 2026	Not yet announcedJanuary 1, 2027	Hospitality and transportation employers only.
Tukwila	$21.65since January 1, 2026	Not yet announcedJanuary 1, 2027	Most employers with at least 15 employees worldwide; see the ordinance for the full coverage test.
Bellingham	$19.13since January 1, 2026	Not yet announcedJanuary 1, 2027

How the Washington minimum wage is set

L&I makes a cost-of-living adjustment every year based on the federal consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers (CPI-W). The new rate is announced on September 30 and takes effect January 1.

What does $17.13 an hour leave you after tax in Washington? Run it through the paycheck calculator.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum wage in Washington in 2026?

$17.13 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.

What will the Washington minimum wage be in 2027?

The statewide rate rises to $17.73 on January 1, 2027.

What is the tipped minimum wage in Washington?

Washington has no tip credit: businesses may not count tips or service charges toward an employee's hourly minimum wage, and all tips and service charges belong to the employee.

Can minors be paid less than the minimum wage in Washington?

Workers who are 14 or 15 may be paid 85% of the adult minimum wage: $14.56 in 2026 and $15.07 from January 1, 2027.

How is the Washington minimum wage adjusted each year?

Do cities in Washington have a higher minimum wage?

Minimum wage in other states

Every state side by side: minimum wage by state 2026 and minimum wage by state 2027.

California Minimum Wage

$16.90 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Florida Minimum Wage

$15.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Ohio Minimum Wage

$11.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Michigan Minimum Wage

$13.73 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Arizona Minimum Wage

$15.15 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Colorado Minimum Wage

$15.16 now; tipped, youth and local rates.

Illinois Minimum Wage

$15.00 now; tipped, youth and local rates.