2026 Minimum Wage Resources
Washington State: https://www.lni.wa.gov/news-events/article/25-27
The Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) announced an increase in the state’s minimum wage to $17.13 per hour, effective on January 1, 2026.
Starting January 1, 2026, all employers, regardless of schedule size, will be required to pay the same minimum wage of $21.30 per hour. Small employers will no longer be able to count tips and/or payments toward an employee’s medical benefit plan toward an employee’s minimum compensation requirements under Seattle’s Minimum Wage Ordinance.
Bellingham: https://cob.org/services/business/city-minimum-wage
The city minimum wage will be set at $2.00 ($19.13) above the applicable Washington State minimum wage, effective on January 1 every year. The city will establish the city minimum wage within two weeks of the publication of the new state minimum wage.
Burien: https://www.burienwa.gov/city_hall/laws_regulations/minimum_wage
Employers with 20 or fewer full-time equivalents (FTEs) are exempt from the ordinance.
“Level 1 employer” means all employers, including franchisees, that employ more than 500 FTEs in King County or franchisors who employ more than 500 FTEs in the aggregate. Effective January 1, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., Level 1 employers shall pay each employee an hourly minimum wage of at least $4.50 over the Washington State hourly minimum wage.
“Level 2 employer” means all employers, including franchisees, that employ 21 – 499 FTEs in King County. Effective July 1, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., Level 2 employers shall pay each employee an hourly minimum wage of at least $3.50 over the Washington State hourly minimum wage.
“Level 3 employer” means all employers with 20 or fewer FTEs. Employers with 20 or fewer FTEs are exempt from this ordinance.
Everett: https://www.everettwa.gov/3287/Minimum-wage
Employers who do not meet the covered status below will need to meet the WA state minimum wage.
King County (unincorporated areas): https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/local-services/governance-leadership/local-government-for-unincorporated-king-county/minimum-wage
As of January 1, 2026, the minimum hourly wage in unincorporated King County will be $20.82. There will be three temporary exceptions, based on business size and gross revenue.
Renton: https://www.rentonwa.gov/city_hall/finance/2024_labor_standards
Covered employers will be required to pay a new higher minimum wage for hours worked in the City. Covered employers are required to pay employees not less than the minimum hourly wage as follows:
Employers that do not fall within the Large or Mid-Size Employer described above are not covered by the new minimum wage rates but must continue to meet the State of Washington minimum wage requirements.
SeaTac: https://www.seatacwa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/40154/638954226601570000
2026 Minimum Wage: $20.74 per hour
The increase in the living wage rate (2.81%) has been calculated using the consumer price index for urban wage earners and clerical workers, (CPIW) for the twelve (12) months prior to September 1 as calculated by the United States Department of Labor. Therefore, in accordance with SeaTac Municipal Code (SMC) Section 7.45.050, the living wage rate in effect for hospitality and transportation employees within the City will increase to $20.74, effective January 1, 2026.
Effective January 1st, 2026, Tukwila Minimum Wage hourly rates will be $21.65.
