Washington Minimum Wage 2027: $17.73 an Hour Explained

Quick answer: The Washington minimum wage 2027 rate is $17.73 an hour, starting January 1, 2027. That is a 3.5% raise from $17.13, set by the state Department of Labor & Industries using inflation data. Workers aged 14 and 15 can be paid $15.07, and Seattle's own minimum rises to $22.14 an hour.

Key Takeaways

Washington's statewide minimum wage rises 60 cents to $17.73 an hour on January 1, 2027; the current $17.13 rate is already the highest of any state.
Employers with 51 or more workers must pay overtime-exempt salaried staff at least $1,773 a week, or $92,196 a year, under a new 2.5 multiplier.
Businesses with 50 or fewer workers stay at a 2.25 multiplier in 2027, which means an exempt salary of at least $1,595.70 a week, or $82,976.40 a year.
Seattle sets its own, higher floor of $22.14 an hour for 2027, and several other cities and unincorporated King County also pay above the state rate.
Workers who are underpaid can file a wage complaint with Labor & Industries online, by mail or at a local office.

Washington workers on the lowest pay rate are getting a raise. The Washington minimum wage 2027 rate will be $17.73 an hour from January 1, 2027, the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced on September 30, 2026. The 60-cent increase lifts the floor from $17.13 and builds on a rate that is already the highest of any state and well over double the federal minimum of $7.25.

The new rate also moves several other pay thresholds tied to it, including the salary needed to be exempt from overtime, the youth wage and the hourly rate for exempt computer professionals. Below is what changes, who is affected and what to check on your paycheck in January.

What is the Washington minimum wage in 2027?

The statewide minimum is $17.73 an hour for most workers aged 16 and older, effective January 1, 2027. It applies to both agricultural and non-agricultural jobs unless a specific exemption covers the role.

L&I does not choose the number. State law requires the agency to compare the federal Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) from August of one year with August of the next, then raise the wage by the same percentage. This year that comparison produced a 3.5% increase.

2026 vs. 2027 rates at a glance:

State minimum wage (16 and older): $17.13/hour in 2026, $17.73/hour in 2027
Workers aged 14 and 15 (85%): $14.56/hour in 2026, $15.07/hour in 2027
Exempt computer professionals paid hourly: $59.96/hour in 2026, $62.06/hour in 2027
Seattle minimum wage: $21.30/hour in 2026, $22.14/hour in 2027
Federal minimum wage: $7.25/hour in 2026, $7.25/hour in 2027

How much more will minimum wage workers earn?

A full-time worker on the state minimum will see about $24 more in gross pay per 40-hour week. Our own calculation: 40 hours at $17.73 comes to $709.20, compared with $685.20 at the current rate.

Over a full year of 2,080 paid hours, that works out to roughly $36,878 before taxes, about $1,248 more than at $17.13. Part-time workers gain in proportion to their hours. Remember that these are gross figures; take-home pay depends on hours, deductions and any local rate that applies to you.

How does the 2027 overtime-exempt salary threshold work?

To be exempt from overtime, salaried workers in executive, administrative and professional roles must meet the job-duty rules and also earn at least a minimum salary, which is set as a multiple of the minimum wage for a 40-hour week. In 2027 the multiple depends on employer size.

Large employers (51 or more employees): the multiplier rises from 2.25 to 2.5. Exempt staff must earn at least $1,773.00 a week ($92,196.00 a year). L&I says the multiplier is not scheduled to go any higher than 2.5.
Small employers (up to 50 employees): the multiplier stays at 2.25 for 2027, so the minimum exempt salary is $1,595.70 a week ($82,976.40 a year). It is scheduled to reach 2.5 in 2028.
Computer professionals: exempt computer professionals may be paid by the hour instead of a salary, but the rate must be at least 3.5 times the minimum wage regardless of employer size: $62.06 an hour in 2027, up $2.10.

For large-employer staff, this is the biggest jump in the package. The 2026 threshold for all employers is $1,541.70 a week ($80,168.40 a year), so the bar rises by more than $12,000 a year for exempt workers at companies with 51 or more employees.

What if my salary is below the new threshold?

If you work for a large employer, are classed as exempt and your salary will be under $92,196 in 2027, your employer generally has two choices: raise your salary to meet the threshold or reclassify you as non-exempt and pay time-and-a-half for hours over 40 in a workweek. Watch for a letter or HR update before January, and ask in writing if your status is unclear.

Which Washington cities pay more than $17.73?

Cities and counties in Washington can set their own minimum wage above the state floor, and your employer must pay whichever rate is higher where you work. Seattle's Office of Labor Standards has set the city's 2027 minimum at $22.14 an hour, up from $21.30, and it applies to all employers in the city regardless of size.

L&I lists SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton, Bellingham, Everett, Burien and unincorporated King County as other places with local minimums above the state rate. Some of these local rules have varied by employer size or industry, so check the local rate for the exact address where you work before assuming the state figure applies.

Who else is affected by the Washington minimum wage 2027 changes?

The minimum wage is the base for several other rules, so the September 30 announcement reaches beyond hourly workers.

Young workers: employers may pay 14- and 15-year-olds 85% of the adult rate, which will be $15.07 an hour in 2027, up 51 cents.
Rideshare drivers: for trips inside Seattle, minimum driver pay rises to 72 cents per passenger platform minute and $1.69 per passenger platform mile, or $6.34 per trip, whichever is greater. Outside Seattle the figures are 41 cents per minute, $1.43 per mile or $3.68 per trip.
Non-compete agreements: state law will ban non-compete clauses from July 2027. From January to June 2027, an employer can only enforce one against an employee earning at least $131,326.59 a year, or an independent contractor earning at least $328,316.49.

What should workers and job seekers do now?

Use the next three months to confirm your pay will be correct from the first paycheck of 2027. A short checklist:

Check your first January pay stub. Make sure your hourly rate is at least $17.73, or the higher local rate where you work.
Confirm your overtime status. If you are salaried and exempt, compare your 2027 salary with the threshold for your employer's size.
Count all hours worked. Washington requires minimum wage for every hour worked, including opening and closing duties, required trainings and meetings.
Keep your tips separate. Employers cannot count tips or service charges toward your hourly minimum wage in Washington.
Use the new floor when negotiating. If you are job hunting for entry-level retail, hospitality or warehouse work, treat $17.73 (or the local rate) as the legal starting point, not the target.

How do I report unpaid minimum wage in Washington?

You can file a worker rights complaint with L&I online, by downloading and mailing the form, or at a local L&I office. The agency investigates unpaid minimum wage, overtime, tips and paid sick leave. For questions, L&I's Employment Standards Program can be reached at 360-902-5316 or toll free at 1-866-219-7321.

The law also protects you from retaliation for raising a pay concern. If you believe your employer punished you for asking about your wages, a retaliation complaint must be filed within 180 days.

Last updated: October 3, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What will the minimum wage be in Washington State in 2027?

Washington's statewide minimum wage will be $17.73 an hour starting January 1, 2027. That is up 60 cents, or 3.5%, from the 2026 rate of $17.13.

When does the Washington minimum wage increase take effect?

The new $17.73 rate takes effect on January 1, 2027. Under state law, L&I announces the next year's rate on September 30 and the new rate takes effect on January 1.

What is the Washington exempt salary threshold for 2027?

It depends on employer size. Employers with 51 or more workers must pay exempt staff at least $1,773 a week ($92,196 a year), while employers with up to 50 workers must pay at least $1,595.70 a week ($82,976.40 a year).

What is the Seattle minimum wage in 2027?

Seattle's minimum wage will be $22.14 an hour in 2027, up from $21.30 in 2026. It applies to all employers in the city regardless of size.

Can employers in Washington pay teenagers less than minimum wage?

Yes, but only for 14- and 15-year-olds. Employers may pay them 85% of the adult minimum, which will be $15.07 an hour in 2027; workers aged 16 and older must receive the full rate.

Why is Washington's minimum wage going up again?

State law ties the minimum wage to inflation. L&I compares the CPI-W from August to August and raises the wage by the same percentage, which was 3.5% this year.

Sources

Published October 3, 2026. This article was compiled from the sources listed above with AI-assisted writing and automated fact-checking. We update stories when new verified information becomes available.

Washington Minimum Wage 2027: $17.73 Rate and What Changes