Minimum wage in Bellingham, Washington
Bellingham sets its own minimum wage under its Bellingham city minimum wage ordinance. The general rate is $19.13 an hour, in effect since ; that is $2.00 above the Washington rate of $17.13. Future rates are set by formula rather than a published schedule.
Read from City of Bellingham: City minimum wage on (page SHA-256 ca24123c39ab…). Every figure on this page was found on that page at that time.
Current rates
| Rate per hour | Applies to | In effect since |
|---|---|---|
| $19.13 | All covered employers |
Scheduled changes
The city's page states no dated increase beyond the current rate.
How the rate is adjusted: Set at $2.00 above the Washington State minimum wage effective January 1 each year.
Tipped employees
The city's page states no separate tipped rate; Washington law allows no tip credit, so the full local minimum wage is owed before tips. Washington's state tipped rule (DOL): cash wage $17.13.
Against the state and federal rates
| Law | Rate |
|---|---|
| Bellingham (city ordinance) | $19.13 |
| Washington (state law) | $17.13 |
| Federal (FLSA) | $7.25 |
Where federal, state and local laws all cover an employer, the highest applicable rate must be paid. Whether a particular job is covered by this ordinance (most apply to hours worked inside the city limits, with a minimum number of hours a week) depends on facts this site does not assess. This page describes published rates and is not legal advice; see FastGuide for how to raise an underpayment.
Related
- Other local rates in Washington: Burien, Seattle.
- All city and county minimum wages and the Washington minimum wage.
- Washington wage profile: what occupations actually pay, from BLS data.
- Take-home pay calculator on FastCalc for what $19.13 an hour leaves after withholding; this site computes nothing.