Washington minimum wage 2027: $17.73 an hour

Washington minimum wage 2027: $17.73 per hour from January 1, 2027 (L&I news release 26-17; L&I minimum wage page). Verified Nov 12, 2026 on two official pages.

“Washington’s minimum wage will rise 3.5 percent next year to $17.73 an hour. The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced the increase today; it takes effect Jan. 1, 2027.”

Second official source: “The 2027 minimum wage in the state of Washington is $17.73 per hour.” (L&I minimum wage page).

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What changes for Washington employers in 2027

Rate in force now: Washington minimum wage is $17.13 per hour in 2026. (Washington Minimum Wage Act (U.S. DOL WHD state minimum wage table); Washington State Department of Labor & Industries; verified Sep 27, 2026).

Other Washington minimum rates

• Workers aged 14 and 15: “In 2027, the minimum wage for these younger workers will be $15.07 an hour, up from the current youth minimum of $14.56.” (L&I news release 26-17)

Paying the minimum wage in Washington: paydays, final pay and breaks

• Paydays: Wages must be paid on an established regular payday at no longer than monthly payment intervals. (U.S. DOL WHD state payday table; WAC 296-126-023(3); verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Final pay after a firing: Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages due must be paid at the end of the established pay period, on or before the next regularly scheduled payday. The employer cannot hold the final paycheck until keys, uniforms or tools are returned. (RCW 49.48.010(2); Washington Department of Labor & Industries, Getting Paid; verified Sep 24, 2026)
• Final pay after a resignation: Whether the employee is fired or quits, wages due must be paid at the end of the established pay period, on or before the next regularly scheduled payday. The employer cannot hold the final paycheck until keys, uniforms or tools are returned. (RCW 49.48.010(2); Washington Department of Labor & Industries, Getting Paid; verified Sep 24, 2026)
• Meal breaks (overtime additional meal): Employees working 3 or more hours beyond a normal workday must be allowed an additional 30-minute (½ hour) meal period before or during the overtime. (WAC 296-126-092 (U.S. DOL WHD meal period table); WAC 296-126-092(3); verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Meal breaks: Employees must be allowed a meal period of at least 30 minutes (½ hour) when working more than 5 consecutive hours, starting no less than 2 hours nor more than 5 hours from the beginning of the shift; it is paid time if the employee must remain on duty. (WAC 296-126-092 (U.S. DOL WHD meal period table); WAC 296-126-092(1)-(2); verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Rest breaks: Paid rest period of at least 10 minutes for each 4 hours of working time, scheduled near the midpoint; no employee may be required to work more than 3 hours without a rest period. (WAC 296-126-092 (U.S. DOL WHD rest period table); WAC 296-126-092(4); verified Sep 27, 2026)

Every verified rule for the state, with the law cited: Washington employer rulebook.

The salary threshold for the overtime exemption is $92,196 a year from January 1, 2027 (L&I news release 26-17; WAC 296-128-545). Verified Oct 21, 2026. The salary threshold for the overtime exemption is $82,976.40 a year from January 1, 2027 (L&I news release 26-17; WAC 296-128-545). Verified Oct 21, 2026.

Later in 2027: Statewide: All noncompetition covenants void and unenforceable (RCW 49.62.020 as amended by 2026 c 149) from June 30, 2027 (scheduled by statute; app.leg.wa.gov).

Other Washington changes with a 2027 date, from the 2027 list:

• Washington: Salary threshold for overtime exemption: $1,773.00/week ($92,196.00/year) for employers with 51 or more employees (2.5 x the state minimum wage x 40 hours) from January 1, 2027 (confirmed; lni.wa.gov)
• Washington: Salary threshold for overtime exemption: $1,595.70/week ($82,976.40/year) for employers with 50 or fewer employees (2.25 x the state minimum wage x 40 hours) from January 1, 2027 (confirmed; lni.wa.gov)
• Washington: Non-compete agreements: $131,326.59/year earnings threshold for employees to be bound by a non-compete, January to June 2027 from January 1, 2027 (confirmed; lni.wa.gov)
• Seattle, WA: Minimum wage: $22.14/hour from January 1, 2027 (confirmed; seattle.gov)

Each change with its official text: Washington rules.

Washington minimum wage rates: now, 2027 and next

How the next Washington rate is set

“Beginning mid-September each year, L&I will make a cost-of-living adjustment to the minimum wage based on the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W).” (Washington L&I minimum wage page)

2027 minimum wage: Washington and neighboring states

Each state links to its rulebook, and to its own 2027 minimum wage page where we have one. The same rows, for every state, are in the 2027 table by state.

How to act on it

Full-time pay at the 2027 rate (computed: hourly rate × 40 hours a week and × 2,080 hours a year, before taxes): $17.73 = $709.20 a week, $36,878 a year.

Questions about the Washington minimum wage in 2027

Sources (17)

• L&I news release 26-17
• L&I minimum wage page
• WAC 296-128-545
• app.leg.wa.gov
• Washington Minimum Wage Act (U.S. DOL WHD state minimum wage table)
• U.S. DOL WHD state payday table
• WAC 296-126-023(3)
• RCW 49.48.010(2)
• Washington Department of Labor & Industries, Getting Paid
• WAC 296-126-092 (U.S. DOL WHD meal period table)
• WAC 296-126-092(3)
• WAC 296-126-092 (U.S. DOL WHD rest period table)
• seattle.gov
• U.S. DOL minimum wage page
• 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo)
• Idaho Code § 44-1502
• Oregon BOLI minimum wage page

Checked Nov 12, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error

Where this goes next

StateWashington employer rulebookAll 51 statesMinimum wage by state 20272027Every Washington change in 2027ToolWashington paycheck calculator