WAIndexed annually
Washington minimum wage 2026
The Washington minimum wage is $17.13 per hour, effective 2026-01-01. The tipped cash wage is $17.13 with a tip credit of $0.00. [WA labor dept.][DOL WHD]
Standard minimum
WA$17.13
Effective 2026-01-01.
Verified 2026-09-06
Tipped cash wage
$17.13
Tip credit ceiling $0.00.
Verified 2026-09-06
vs federal $7.25
+$9.88
Above the federal minimum.
Verified 2009-07-24
Next scheduled step
None
No further increase scheduled in statute.
Verified 2026-09-06
Tip-credit split
Full cash wage of $17.13 per hour. No tip credit permitted.
Take-home at the Washington minimum
Estimated take-home at $17.13 per hour
20 hours/week
$342.60
~$313/wk after tax
$17,815.2 annual gross
30 hours/week
$513.90
~$454/wk after tax
$26,722.8 annual gross
40 hours/week
$685.20
~$592/wk after tax
$35,630.4 annual gross
Estimate uses 2026 federal brackets (single filer), FICA 7.65 percent, and a flat state effective rate. Actual withholding varies by W-4 and credits.
Statute and indexing
DOL: Adjusted annually Washington: Businesses may not use tips and service charges paid to an employee as part of an employee's hourly minimum wage. L and I announces the following year's rate in late September from the August-to-August CPI-W. The 2027 figure is not out as at 6 September 2026.
Local ordinances above the Washington rate
Tool
Take-home calculator
Reference
Federal vs state delta