What will the minimum wage be in Washington in 2027?

$17.73 from January 1, 2027. It is $17.13 now (since January 1, 2026).

What is the tipped minimum wage in Washington in 2027?

Washington does not allow a tip credit: tipped staff get the full minimum wage before tips.

What is the exempt salary threshold in Washington in 2027?

Washington (50 or fewer employees): $82,976 a year ($1,595.70 a week) from January 1, 2027; now $80,168 a year ($1,541.70 a week). Washington (51+ employees): $92,196 a year ($1,773.00 a week) from January 1, 2027; now $80,168 a year ($1,541.70 a week). Below it, a salaried employee is owed overtime even with exempt duties.

Washington minimum wage 2027

$17.73 from January 1, 2027, up from $17.13 now (+$0.60, +3.50%). Checked on the official page on 2026-10-01.

Washington: minimum wage now and in 2027
Figure	Value	Date	Status
Minimum wage now	$17.13	January 1, 2026	In force
Minimum wage 2027	$17.73	January 1, 2027	Announced
Tipped cash wage now	Full minimum wage (no tip credit)
Tipped cash wage 2027	Full minimum wage (no tip credit)		No change
Exempt salary threshold now (50 or fewer employees)	$80,168 a year ($1,541.70 a week)	January 1, 2026	In force
Exempt salary threshold 2027 (50 or fewer employees)	$82,976 a year ($1,595.70 a week)	January 1, 2027	Announced
Exempt salary threshold now (51+ employees)	$80,168 a year ($1,541.70 a week)	January 1, 2026	In force
Exempt salary threshold 2027 (51+ employees)	$92,196 a year ($1,773.00 a week)	January 1, 2027	Announced

Announced: The official 2027 figure has been published.

What it costs per employee

For someone paid exactly $17.13 today, reaching $17.73 is +$0.60 an hour: $1,248 a year at 40 hours a week (52 weeks), before payroll taxes. Staff already paid above the new rate cost nothing; paste your list into the raise calculator to see who falls under it and from when.

Local rates in Washington

City, county and regional minimum wages in Washington
Place	Now	2027
SeaTac (hospitality & transportation)	$20.74	To be announced, expected by October 2026 (takes effect January 1, 2027)
Seattle (city)	$21.30	$22.14 from January 1, 2027
Unincorporated King County	$20.82	$21.57 from January 1, 2027

Look up another place

StateCity, county or region with its own rate

Minimum wage at the end of 2027, Washington

$17.73

Announced$17.73 from January 1, 2027

Washington minimum wage 2027: full page

Washington minimum wage

Now (since January 1, 2026)

$17.13 an hour

Source, checked 2026-09-30

2027

$17.73 from January 1, 2027AnnouncedSource, checked 2026-10-01

Tipped cash wage now: Full minimum wage (no tip credit)
Tipped cash wage 2027: Full minimum wage (no tip credit)
Exempt salary threshold (Washington (51+ employees)): Now $80,168 a year ($1,541.70 a week); 2027: $92,196 a year ($1,773.00 a week) from January 1, 2027

Budgeting 2027 raises? Pro makes it a workbook.

Your staff list with the 2027 floor per person, the raise, its cost and the exempt salary check, a totals sheet and a rate card per state with sources, as Excel with live formulas.

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Sources for Washington

Washington: rate now: https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/minimum-wage/, read on 2026-09-30
Exempt salary threshold (50 or fewer employees): https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/26-17, read on 2026-10-01
Exempt salary threshold (51+ employees): https://lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/26-17, read on 2026-10-01
SeaTac (hospitality & transportation): rate now: https://www.seatacwa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/40154/638954226601570000, read on 2026-09-30
Seattle (city): rate now: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/WASEATTLE/bulletins/42cb5b8, read on 2026-09-30
Seattle (city): tipped wage: https://www.seattle.gov/laborstandards/ordinances/minimum-wage, read on 2026-09-30
Unincorporated King County: rate now: https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/local-services/governance-leadership/local-government-for-unincorporated-king-county/minimum-wage, read on 2026-09-30

Rates from official state and city sources, checked on the date shown next to each figure. Some 2027 rates are announced later in the year. Not legal advice; check your state labor department and local ordinances. Not affiliated with the US Department of Labor or any state agency.

Frequently asked questions

What will the minimum wage be in Washington in 2027?: $17.73 from January 1, 2027. It is $17.13 now (since January 1, 2026).
When does the Washington minimum wage go up in 2027?: January 1, 2027.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Washington in 2027?: Washington does not allow a tip credit: tipped staff get the full minimum wage before tips.
What is the exempt salary threshold in Washington in 2027?: Washington (50 or fewer employees): $82,976 a year ($1,595.70 a week) from January 1, 2027; now $80,168 a year ($1,541.70 a week). Washington (51+ employees): $92,196 a year ($1,773.00 a week) from January 1, 2027; now $80,168 a year ($1,541.70 a week). Below it, a salaried employee is owed overtime even with exempt duties.