Home > Resources > HR compliance > Wage and hour > Minimum wage > Washington minimum wage: Updated rates, rules & local wage requirements
Brightmine office worker working on his laptop

Washington minimum wage: Updated rates, rules & local wage requirements

Get updated Washington minimum wage guidance for employers. Understand statewide increases, local higher-wage jurisdictions, and overtime‑exempt salary thresholds.

Share this:

by Patrick M. Madden, K&L Gates LLP

Ensure your organization stays compliant and competitive with Washington’s evolving wage and hour standards. With one of the highest statewide minimum wages in the country, Washington requires employers to closely follow wage and hour regulations to protect workers and maintain compliance.

Our comprehensive guide empowers HR professionals with the clarity and confidence they need to navigate Washington’s minimum wage rules, understand employer obligations, and support a fair, consistent pay framework across their workforce.

In this guide, learn about:

  • Minimum Wage
    • Employer Coverage
    • Tip Credit
    • Employee Property
    • Service Charges
    • Credit Cards
    • Employee Notice
    • Tip Pools
    • Dual Jobs / Sidework
  • Board, Lodging and Other Facilities
  • Uniforms
  • Other Deductions
  • Subminimum Wages
    • Workers With Disabilities
    • Other Workers
  • Industry-Specific Minimum Wages
  • Poster Requirements
  • Local Requirements
    • Bellingham
    • Burien
    • Everett
    • King County
    • Renton
    • SeaTac
    • Seattle
    • Tukwila
  • Future Developments

Federal law and guidance on this subject should be reviewed together with this section.

Want to see more?

For full access to Minimum Wage: Washington, sign up to a HR and Compliance Center subscription today.

Jurisdiction: Washington

Latest updates

Updated to reflect increases in the state minimum wage and the local minimum wages in Bellingham, Burien, Everett, King County, Renton, SeaTac, Seattle and Tukwila, effective January 1, 2026.

Get ahead of HR compliance

Navigating today’s complex HR compliance landscape is challenging.

Get ahead with Brightmine. Access HR resources and automation tools managed by seasoned human HR experts.

Proudly partnered with LexisNexis®

You may also be interested in…

Charts

Airport Minimum Wage Requirements by State

Our Fifty State Guide to Minimum Wage Compliance for Airports helps HR and payroll teams quickly understand where …

Charts

Minimum Wage Rates by State and Municipality

Need clarity on minimum wage rules? Our comprehensive 50‑state guide helps HR teams track state and municipal wage …

Infographics

US map of minimum wage rates effective January 2026

Stay compliant with new minimum wage rates for 2026 with our quick and easy snapshot map.

Want to learn more?

Sign up for a FREE 7 day trial and access subscriber-only articles and tools.