Washington Minimum Wage & Local City Calculator
Audit Washington State minimum wages ($17.13/hr in 2026 under RCW 49.46.020) and municipal ordinances across Seattle ($21.30), Tukwila ($21.65), Renton ($21.57), Everett ($20.77), Burien ($21.63), Unincorporated King County ($20.82), SeaTac ($20.74), and Bellingham ($19.13). Includes strict tip credit ban verification, service charge disclosure checks under RCW 49.46.160, and statutory overtime regular rate floors.
Washington Minimum Wage & Local City Checker (2024–2027)
Verify statutory minimum wages across Washington State pursuant to RCW 49.46.020 ($17.13/hr in 2026) alongside local municipal ordinances in Seattle (SMC 14.19), Tukwila (TMC 5.63), Renton (RMC 5.28), Everett (EMC 5.08), Burien (BMC 5.16), King County Unincorporated (Ord. 19762), SeaTac (SMC 7.45), and Bellingham (BMC 6.07.010). Washington strictly bans tip credits statewide under RCW 49.46.020(3), requires full wages for 16–17 year olds, and mandates transparent service charge disclosures under RCW 49.46.160.
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Audits Washington Statewide, Seattle SMC 14.19, Tukwila TMC 5.63, Renton RMC 5.28, Everett EMC 5.08, Burien BMC 5.16, King County Ord. 19762, SeaTac SMC 7.45, and Bellingham BMC 6.07.010.
Washington Minimum Wage Law & Municipal Ordinances
Read our in-depth educational breakdown of RCW 49.46.020, Seattle SMC 14.19 unified rate rules, the Tukwila TMC 5.63, Renton RMC 5.28, Everett EMC 5.08, Burien BMC 5.16, King County Ordinance 19762, strict tip credit bans, and mandatory service charge disclosure requirements.
Washington Statutory & Municipal Minimum Wage Rates (2024–2027)
Washington adjusts its statewide minimum wage annually on January 1 based on the CPI-W pursuant to Initiative 1433. Local jurisdictions across King, Snohomish, and Whatcom counties enforce independent ordinances with higher wage baselines and specific employer-size thresholds.
| Jurisdiction | Governing Law | Employer Tier | 2024 Rate | 2025 Rate | 2026 Rate | 2027 Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington Statewide | RCW 49.46.020 | All Employers | $16.28 | $16.66 | $17.13 | $17.73 (Announced) |
| Seattle | SMC 14.19 | All Employers (Unified) | $19.97 (Large) / $17.25 (Small) | $20.76 | $21.30 | $22.14 (Announced) |
| Tukwila | TMC 5.63 | Large & Mid-Size (Covered) | $20.29 / $18.29–$19.29 | $21.10 (Parity Jul 1) | $21.65 | Unannounced |
| Renton | RMC 5.28 | Large (500+ worldwide) | $20.29 (Eff. Jul 1) | $20.90 | $21.57 | $22.28 (Announced) |
| Renton | RMC 5.28 | Mid-Size (15–500 / >$2M) | $18.29 (Eff. Jul 1) | $18.90 / $19.90 (Jul 1) | $20.57 / $21.57 (Jul 1) | $22.28 (Announced) |
| Everett | EMC 5.08 | Large (500+ worldwide) | State Baseline | $20.24 (Eff. Jul 1) | $20.77 | Unannounced |
| Everett | EMC 5.08 | Other Covered (15–499) | State Baseline | $18.24 (Eff. Jul 1) | $18.77 / $19.77 (Jul 1) | Unannounced |
| Burien | BMC 5.16 | Large (500+) / Medium (21–499) | State Baseline | $21.10 / $20.10 (Mar 23) | $21.63 / $20.63 | Unannounced |
| King County Unincorporated | Ord. 19762 | Large / Mid-Size / Small Covered | State Baseline | $20.29 / $18.29 / $17.29 | $20.82 / $19.82 / $18.32 | Unannounced |
| SeaTac | SMC 7.45 | Hospitality & Transportation | $19.71 | $20.17 | $20.74 | Unannounced |
| Bellingham | BMC 6.07.010 | State + $2.00 Premium | $17.28 (Eff. May 1) | $17.66 / $18.66 (May 1) | $19.13 | $19.73 |
| Statewide Minors (14–15) | WAC 296-128-010 | 85% State Floor | $13.84 | $14.16 | $14.56 | $15.07 |
Washington's Strict Tip Credit Prohibition (RCW 49.46.020(3))
Unlike federal law (29 U.S.C. § 203(m)) and states like Texas or New York, Washington does not allow employers to claim a tip credit. Employers must pay the full statutory minimum wage ($17.13/hr in 2026, or the applicable municipal rate) entirely from direct employer cash funds.
All gratuities paid by patrons are the absolute personal property of the employee. Employers, managers, and supervisors cannot participate in employee tip pools or retain customer gratuities.
Mandatory Service Charge Disclosures (RCW 49.46.160)
Washington is unique nationally in regulating automatic service charges, delivery fees, and banquet fees under RCW 49.46.160. Employers must explicitly print on itemized receipts and menus the exact percentage of the service charge that will be paid directly to the service employee.
If an employer fails to provide this disclosure, Washington law declares that 100% of the service charge becomes the property of the service employee, and any portion retained by the business constitutes an illegal wage withholding owed to the worker.
Overtime Calculations on Municipal Wage Baselines
Washington requires 1.5× overtime pay for all hours worked exceeding 40 in a single workweek under RCW 49.46.130. Overtime must be calculated on the employee's regular hourly rate, which cannot be lower than the local minimum wage.
For example, an employee working 45 hours in Seattle with a base rate of $21.30/hr is entitled to an overtime rate of at least $31.95 per hour ($21.30 × 1.5). Employers cannot calculate overtime using the lower state rate ($17.13 × 1.5 = $25.70) when work is performed in a covered municipality.
Youth & Minor Wage Protections Under Washington Law
Under Washington law, 16- and 17-year-old minors are legally entitled to 100% of the standard adult minimum wage. Employers cannot pay youth subminimum rates to workers aged 16 or 17.
While WAC 296-128-010 and Seattle SMC 14.19 authorize an 85% youth wage for 14- and 15-year-olds, several local ordinances—including Renton RMC 5.28 and Tukwila TMC 5.63—strictly eliminate subminimum rates for minors, requiring covered employers to pay the full adult municipal wage.
Frequently Asked Questions: Washington Wage Laws
What is the Washington State minimum wage for 2026?
Under RCW 49.46.020, Washington's statewide minimum wage is $17.13 per hour effective January 1, 2026. WA L&I announced an increase to $17.73 per hour effective January 1, 2027.
How does the Seattle minimum wage work after 2024?
Under Seattle Municipal Code SMC 14.19, Seattle previously operated a two-tier system where small employers (≤500 employees) could claim a temporary $2.72 tip/benefit credit. That temporary exemption expired on December 31, 2024. Starting January 1, 2025, Seattle unified all employers into a single schedule ($20.76 in 2025, $21.30 in 2026, and $22.14 in 2027) with zero tip credit.
Can an employer in Washington take customer tips to cover payroll?
No. Washington strictly prohibits tip credits. Tips are considered the sole personal property of the employee who earned them. Employers must pay the full applicable minimum wage directly in cash.
What if a restaurant charges an automatic service fee in Washington?
Under RCW 49.46.160, the restaurant must explicitly state on the menu and receipt the exact percentage of the service fee that goes to waitstaff versus what the house retains. If this disclosure is omitted, 100% of the charge legally belongs to the service employees.
Which Washington jurisdictions have higher local minimum wage ordinances in 2026?
In 2026, eight jurisdictions enforce independent wage ordinances: Seattle ($21.30), Tukwila ($21.65), Renton ($21.57 / $20.57), Everett ($20.77 / $18.77), Burien ($21.63 / $20.63), Unincorporated King County ($20.82 / $19.82 / $18.32), SeaTac ($20.74 for covered hospitality/transportation), and Bellingham ($19.13). Other cities like Spokane, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Bellevue follow the state rate.