Current Minimum Wage in Washington
The minimum wage in Washington is $16.66 per hour as of 2026. This is $9.41 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr.
Wage Breakdown
| Pay Period | Gross Pay | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $16.66 | 1 |
| Daily (8 hours) | $133.28 | 8 |
| Weekly | $666 | 40 |
| Biweekly | $1,333 | 80 |
| Monthly | $2,888 | ~173 |
| Annual | $34,653 | 2,080 |
Tipped Employee Wage
Washington does not allow a tip credit. Tipped employees must receive the full minimum wage of $16.66/hr from their employer, with tips on top.
Scheduled Increases
Adjusted annually based on CPI inflation.
Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage
Federal Poverty Line (single)
$15,060/year
Minimum wage is $19,593 above poverty line
Estimated Living Wage (WA)
~$18.82/hr
Based on cost of living index (110.7)
Cost of Living Context
Washington's cost of living index is 110.7 (national average = 100). This means living in Washington is 10.7% more expensive than the national average. The median hourly wage in Washington is $26.40/hr, which is 58% above the minimum wage.
Key Facts
One of the highest state minimums. No tip credit. Seattle: $20.76/hr. Annual CPI adjustments.
How This Compares
| Metric | WA | Federal | Highest (WA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $16.66 | $7.25 | $16.66 |
| Tipped Wage | $16.66 | $2.13 | $16.66 |
| Annual (FT) | $34,653 | $15,080 | $34,653 |
Useful Resources
Washington Average Salary
Median income and top employers in WA
Washington Tax Rates
Income, sales & property tax in WA
Salary Calculator
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Paycheck Calculator
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