Minimum wage in Seattle, Washington
Seattle sets its own minimum wage under its Seattle Municipal Code 14.19. The general rate is $21.30 an hour, in effect since ; that is $4.17 above the Washington rate of $17.13. The next scheduled change the city states is $22.14 on January 1, 2027.
Read from Seattle Office of Labor Standards: Minimum Wage Ordinance on (page SHA-256 7d3a7f2d0f6b…). Every figure on this page was found on that page at that time.
Current rates
| Rate per hour | Applies to | In effect since |
|---|---|---|
| $21.30 | All covered employers |
Scheduled changes
| Effective | New rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| $22.14 | All covered employers |
How the rate is adjusted: Adjusted each January 1 by the CPI-W under SMC 14.19; the Office of Labor Standards announces the rate each fall.
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 |
|---|---|
| Seattle (city ordinance) | $21.30 |
| 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: Bellingham, Burien.
- 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 $21.30 an hour leaves after withholding; this site computes nothing.