CashoutTipped minimum wage / Washington
Washington tipped minimum wage
What employers must pay
Washington does not allow a tip credit. Your employer has to pay the full minimum wage of $17.13 an hour, and your tips are on top of that.
Several cities and unincorporated King County set higher local rates. Workers aged 14 and 15 may be paid 85 percent of the state rate.
What changes next
On January 1, 2027, the minimum wage goes to $17.73. The state Department of Labor and Industries announced this rate. Workers aged 14 and 15 may be paid $15.07.
Local and regional rates
Some places in Washington have their own minimum wage or a regional rate. If you work there, the rate listed here applies.
| Place | Minimum | Cash wage | Since |
|---|---|---|---|
| SeattleSame rate for all employer sizes and tips cannot count. Rises to $22.14 on January 1, 2027. | $21.30 | $21.30 | January 1, 2026 |
| SeaTacApplies only to hospitality and transportation employers. 2027 rate not yet published. | $20.74 | $20.74 | January 1, 2026 |
| TukwilaApplies to employers with 15 or more employees worldwide or $2 million or more in Tukwila revenue. 2027 rate not yet published. | $21.65 | $21.65 | January 1, 2026 |
| RentonEmployers with 15 or more employees; mid-size employers rose to the large employer rate on July 1, 2026. Under 15 employees use the state rate. | $21.57 | $21.57 | July 1, 2026 |
| Bellingham2027 rate not yet published. | $19.13 | $19.13 | January 1, 2026 |
| EverettOver 500 employees: $20.77. 15 to 499 employees: $19.77 since July 1, 2026. Under 15 employees use the state rate. | $20.77 | $20.77 | January 1, 2026 |
| Burien500 or more employees: $21.63; 21 to 499 employees: $20.63; 20 or fewer use the state rate. | $21.63 | $21.63 | January 1, 2026 |
| King County (unincorporated)Over 500 employees: $20.82; 16 to 499 (or small with $2 million or more revenue): $19.82; small under $2 million revenue: $18.32. | $20.82 | $20.82 | January 1, 2026 |
Tip pooling and service charges
Employers must pay workers all tips. Tip pools are allowed among employees, and anyone required to pay into a pool must also be paid from it; owners, managers and supervisors may keep tips for service they personally give but may not take a share of the pool.
Service charges must be paid to workers unless the receipt and menu clearly disclose what part the employer keeps; for card tips the employer may deduct only the prorated processing fee.
Overtime
1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours a week; Washington has no daily overtime. With no tip credit, overtime is figured on the worker's full hourly rate.
Taxes on your tips
Washington does not tax wage income, so there is no state income tax on your tips. Federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare still apply. The federal tip deduction can cut the income tax part: see how the No Tax on Tips deduction works.
If you are underpaid
Start by comparing your pay stubs with your own record of hours and tips. If the numbers don't add up, you can file a complaint with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), Employment Standards: how to file. You can also call the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, at 1-866-487-9243.
