Short answer. Washington L&I, September 30, 2026: the minimum wage rises 3.5% to $17.73 an hour on January 1, 2027.
$17.73
Washington minimum wage from January 1, 2027 (+$0.60, 3.5%)
Washington minimum wage at a glance
- 2027 rate
- $17.73 from January 1, 2027
- 2026 rate
- $17.13 in 2026 (Washington L&I).
- Change
- +$0.60 an hour (3.5%)
- Tipped employees
- No tip credit: full minimum before tips
- Local rates
- L&I: Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton, Bellingham, Everett, Burien and unincorporated King County have higher minimums.
Washington tipped employees in 2027
Washington requires the full state minimum before tips (US DOL tipped table).
Other Washington rates
| Who | 2026 | 2027 | Where it's from |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workers aged 14 and 15 (85%) | Not stated | $15.07 | L&I: $15.07 in 2027. |
What the Washington change costs: an example
Each row compares a pay rate with the Washington 2027 floor. Weekly cost is the raise times hours, with overtime at time and a half; the last column runs from January 1, 2027 to December 31, 2027 (52.14 weeks). Employer taxes aren't included.
| Employee | Rate now | Hours | Raise | Weekly | Rest of 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| At the 2026 minimum | $17.13 | 40 | +$0.60 | $24.00 | $1,251.36 |
| Between the two rates | $17.43 | 30 | +$0.30 | $9.00 | $469.26 |
| Full time plus 5 hours overtime | $17.13 | 45 | +$0.60 | $28.50 | $1,485.99 |
| Already above 2027 | $18.23 | 40 | None | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Run your own staff list in the payroll change calculator set to Washington.
Updating Washington payroll
- Before January 1, 2027, list everyone paid under $17.73 an hour, including part-timers and seasonal staff.
- Decide which Washington rate applies to each person: workers aged 14 and 15 (85%).
- Check whether any work happens in a place with its own rate; Washington's state page lists some, and the higher rate wins there.
- Change the rates in payroll with an effective date of January 1, 2027, and split any pay period that crosses it.
- Tipped staff get the full $17.73 as wages; tips can't be counted toward it in Washington.
- Replace the Washington minimum wage poster with the 2027 version from the state labor department.
Not stated on the Washington pages we checked: some tier rates for 2026.
Official Washington sources
- Washington L&I: minimum wage rises to $17.73 an hour in 2027
- U.S. Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws (updated November 5, 2026)
- U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (revised July 1, 2026)
General information, not legal advice, checked November 2026 against the official Washington pages above. A state can change a rate after we check, cities and counties can set higher rates, and exemptions depend on the job and the employer. Before you change payroll, confirm the rate on the state labor department's site or with your payroll provider or employment attorney. MCC Solutions isn't affiliated with any government agency.
Washington 2027 minimum wage questions
What is the Washington minimum wage in 2027?
$17.73 an hour from January 1, 2027, up from $17.13. Washington L&I, September 30, 2026: the minimum wage rises 3.5% to $17.73 an hour on January 1, 2027.
Can Washington employers count tips toward the minimum wage?
No. Washington requires the full state minimum before tips (US DOL tipped table). Tipped staff get the full $17.73 in wages from January 1, 2027, and their tips are on top.
Is there a different Washington rate for workers aged 14 and 15 (85%)?
Yes: $15.07 in 2027. Source: L&I: $15.07 in 2027. It applies only to workers who fit that description; everyone else gets $17.73.
Do cities in Washington have their own minimum wage?
L&I: Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton, Bellingham, Everett, Burien and unincorporated King County have higher minimums. Where a local rate is higher, the employer pays the higher one for work done there.
How much more does a full-time Washington minimum wage worker cost each week in 2027?
$0.60 an hour more, so $24.00 for a 40-hour week before employer taxes, or about $1,251.36 over the rest of 2027. Overtime hours add the raise at time and a half.
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