Labor Rights in the District of Columbia
DC has the highest minimum wage in the country at $18.40, a tiered paid sick and safe leave law, and a Universal Paid Leave program funded entirely by employers. Tipped workers are on a slower phase-out path after the 2025 amendment to Initiative 82, with a $10.30 base wage in 2026. DC is not a right-to-work jurisdiction and bans non-compete agreements for most employees.
Data last verified 2026-10-12
Workplace rights in District of Columbia at a glance
| Minimum wage (2026) | $18.40 (effective July 1, 2026, per does.dc.gov; indexed annually to CPI for the Washington metro area) |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage (2026) | $10.30 per hour base wage effective July 1, 2026 (56% of the standard wage; employer must make up the difference if tips plus base wage fall short of $18.40). Note: the DC Council's 2025 amendment to Initiative 82 slowed the phase-out, so the tipped wage now rises as a percentage of the standard wage through 2034 instead of matching it in 2027 |
| Overtime | 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek (no daily overtime requirement) |
| Paid sick leave | Yes, under the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act. Accrual is tiered by employer size: employers with 100 or more employees, 1 hour per 37 hours worked up to 7 days per year; 25 to 99 employees (plus tipped restaurant and bar workers regardless of size), 1 hour per 43 hours worked up to 5 days per year; fewer than 25 employees, 1 hour per 87 hours worked up to 3 days per year |
| Paid family and medical leave | Yes, Universal Paid Leave. Funded by an employer payroll tax of 0.75% of covered wages (no employee contribution). Effective October 1, 2026, the maximum weekly benefit is $1,100 (reduced from $1,190), with up to 12 weeks of parental leave, 6 weeks of family caregiving leave, 10 weeks of medical leave, and 2 weeks of prenatal leave |
| Meal breaks | No state requirement beyond federal |
| Rest breaks | No state requirement beyond federal |
| Right-to-work law | No |
| At-will employment | public policy, implied contract |
| Final paycheck | If fired, wages are due by the next working day. If you quit, wages are due on the next regular payday or within 7 days of resigning, whichever is earlier (DC Code 32-1303) |
How District of Columbia compares to federal law
District of Columbia sets a minimum wage above the federal floor of $7.25 an hour, so the state rate is what most employers must pay. Overtime follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act: time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek.
Neighboring states
- Maryland$15.00 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.
- Virginia$12.77 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.
Compare all 50 states and DC side by side
Workplace laws change. This summary reflects state law as verified on 2026-10-12; confirm details with your state labor department before acting on it.
Frequently asked questions
What is DC's minimum wage in 2026?
$18.40 per hour effective July 1, 2026, adjusted annually for inflation. The tipped base wage is $10.30 per hour.
Does DC have paid sick leave?
Yes. Under the Accrued Sick and Safe Leave Act, employees accrue paid leave at rates that depend on employer size: up to 7 days per year at employers with 100 or more workers, 5 days at 25 to 99 workers, and 3 days at smaller employers.
What paid family leave does DC offer?
Universal Paid Leave, funded by a 0.75% employer payroll tax. As of October 1, 2026, it pays up to $1,100 per week for 12 weeks of parental leave, 6 weeks of family leave, 10 weeks of medical leave, or 2 weeks of prenatal leave.
When do I get my final paycheck in DC?
If you are fired, your employer must pay you by the next working day. If you resign, you must be paid on the next regular payday or within 7 days, whichever comes first.