Labor Rights in Washington
Washington is one of the most protective states for workers: the highest state minimum wage in the nation at $17.13 with no tip credit, mandatory paid sick leave (1 hour per 40 worked), a state paid family and medical leave program paying up to $1,647 per week, and specific meal and rest break rules. Overtime follows the federal 40-hour baseline, and Washington has no right-to-work law.
Data last verified 2026-10-12
Workplace rights in Washington at a glance
| Minimum wage (2026) | $17.13, effective January 1, 2026. Indexed annually to inflation under state law. Seattle and some other cities have higher local rates (Seattle is $21.30 in 2026). |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage (2026) | $17.13. Washington prohibits tip credits entirely. Tipped employees must be paid the full minimum wage before tips. |
| Overtime | 1.5x after 40 hours in a workweek. Washington has no general daily overtime rule, but agricultural workers are entitled to overtime at 40 hours under state law, and certain other categories (e.g., some healthcare and public-works workers) have special rules. |
| Paid sick leave | Statewide mandate: employees accrue 1 hour of paid sick leave per 40 hours worked. Up to 40 hours of unused leave can be carried over to the next year. Most employees are covered from the start of employment. |
| Paid family and medical leave | Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML). Funded by a payroll premium of 1.13% of wages in 2026, shared between employer and employee. Pays up to 90% of wages for up to 12 weeks (16 or 18 in combined cases), with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,647 in 2026. |
| Meal breaks | 30-minute unpaid meal period for shifts over 5 hours, with a second meal period for longer shifts. Employees may waive the meal period voluntarily. |
| Rest breaks | Paid 10-minute rest period for every 4 hours of working time. |
| Right-to-work law | No |
| At-will employment | Washington is an at-will employment state. Recognized exceptions: implied contract and public policy. Washington does not recognize the covenant-of-good-faith exception. |
| Final paycheck | Due by the end of the pay period (the next regular payday). Washington does not require immediate payment on termination. |
How Washington compares to federal law
Washington 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
- Oregon$15.55 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.
- Idaho$7.25 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 Washington's minimum wage in 2026?
$17.13 per hour statewide, adjusted every January 1 for inflation. Some cities, like Seattle ($21.30), set higher local rates.
Do servers get a lower wage in Washington?
No. Washington bans tip credits, so tipped workers earn the full $17.13 minimum wage, and tips are extra.
How does Washington's paid sick leave work?
You earn 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, and you can carry over up to 40 unused hours into the next year.
What does Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave pay?
Up to 12 weeks of leave at up to 90% of your wages, capped at $1,647 per week in 2026. It is funded by a 1.13% payroll premium split between employers and workers.