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Washington Employment Law: Wages, Final Pay, Breaks and Your Rights at Work

Washington employment law: minimum wage, overtime, breaks, final paycheck deadlines, PTO payout, sick leave, at-will exceptions and where to file a wage claim.

Quick answers for Washington

Minimum wage
$17.13 per hour in 2026 for most workers (14- and 15-year-olds may be paid 85% of the minimum). The rate is adjusted for inflation every January 1. Some cities (such as Seattle) set higher local minimum wages. Washington Minimum Wage Act (RCW 49.46)
Final paycheck if fired or laid off
On or before the next regularly scheduled payday. Employers cannot hold the final paycheck because the employee has not returned keys, uniforms, tools or equipment. RCW 49.48.010
Meal and rest breaks
Rest break: a paid 10-minute break for every 4 hours worked, with no more than 3 hours worked without a break. Meal break: at least 30 minutes for shifts over 5 hours, starting between the 2nd and 5th hour; WAC 296-126-092
Unused vacation / PTO payout
Not required. Vacation, personal holidays and severance are voluntary benefits the employer may choose to pay out. Agreed-upon benefits can be pursued in small claims court or with an attorney. Paid sick leave has separate rules. L&I guidance

Last verified: 2026-10-26

Pay

Minimum wage$17.13 per hour in 2026 for most workers (14- and 15-year-olds may be paid 85% of the minimum). The rate is adjusted for inflation every January 1. Some cities (such as Seattle) set higher local minimum wages.
Scheduled change: $17.73 per hour starting January 1, 2027 ($15.07 for 14- and 15-year-olds).
Source: Washington Minimum Wage Act (RCW 49.46)
Tipped minimum wageNo tip credit. Tipped employees must be paid the full state minimum wage, and tips and service charges paid to employees cannot count toward it. Employers must pay all tips and service charges to employees as the law requires.
Source: RCW 49.46.020(3)
OvertimeTime and one-half the regular rate for hours over 40 in a 7-day workweek, regardless of employer size. No daily overtime (except certain public works projects). Only salaried employees who meet the executive, administrative or professional definitions are exempt. Overtime also applies to agricultural workers (phased in by law).
Source: Washington Minimum Wage Act (RCW 49.46)
How often you must be paidAt least once a month, on a regular, scheduled payday.
Source: L&I guidance
Pay stubsRequired on each payday: an itemized statement, separate from the paycheck, showing the pay basis (hours or days worked), rate(s) of pay, gross wages, all deductions, and the pay period dates. It may be electronic if the employee can receive and copy it on payday.
Source: WAC 296-126-040

Breaks and leave

Meal and rest breaksRest break: a paid 10-minute break for every 4 hours worked, with no more than 3 hours worked without a break. Meal break: at least 30 minutes for shifts over 5 hours, starting between the 2nd and 5th hour; unpaid only if the employee is completely free of duties. Additional meal periods apply to shifts running more than 3 hours past schedule. Employees may waive the meal break by agreement with the employer. Different rules apply to minors, agricultural workers and some health care workers.
Source: WAC 296-126-092
Paid sick leaveYes. Employees earn at least 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, paid at their normal hourly pay. They can start using it 90 days after starting work. Unused balances of 40 hours or less must carry over to the next year. Employers must give a statement of sick leave balance at least monthly. A few exceptions apply (such as doctors, lawyers, dentists and certain salaried executives).
Source: Washington Minimum Wage Act (RCW 49.46.210)

Leaving a job

Final paycheck if fired or laid offOn or before the next regularly scheduled payday. Employers cannot hold the final paycheck because the employee has not returned keys, uniforms, tools or equipment.
State law says final wages are due at the end of the established pay period.
Source: RCW 49.48.010
Final paycheck if you quitOn or before the next regularly scheduled payday.
Source: RCW 49.48.010
Unused vacation / PTO payoutNot required. Vacation, personal holidays and severance are voluntary benefits the employer may choose to pay out. Agreed-upon benefits can be pursued in small claims court or with an attorney. Paid sick leave has separate rules.
Source: L&I guidance
Unemployment benefitsWashington Employment Security Department (ESD). Apply and file weekly claims online through ESD's eServices account.
Source: Washington Employment Security Department

Firing, retaliation and discrimination

Job discrimination complaintsWashington State Human Rights Commission. The Washington Law Against Discrimination covers employers with eight or more employees (not religious nonprofits). A complaint must be filed within six months of the discriminatory act; pregnancy discrimination complaints within one year; whistleblower retaliation complaints within two years.
Source: RCW 49.60.040; RCW 49.60.230
Non-compete agreementsCurrently limited: a non-compete is void unless the terms were disclosed in writing by the time the job offer was accepted (or, if signed later, extra consideration is given); the employee's annualized earnings exceed $100,000 adjusted each year for inflation; and, if the employee is laid off, the employer pays base salary during the restricted period. Non-competes over 18 months are presumed unreasonable. Starting June 30, 2027, all non-compete agreements become void and unenforceable, no matter when they were signed.
Scheduled change: total ban on non-competes effective June 30, 2027.
Source: RCW 49.62.020

Where to get help in Washington

Employment Law FAQ

What is the minimum wage in Washington?
$17.13 per hour in 2026 for most workers (14- and 15-year-olds may be paid 85% of the minimum). The rate is adjusted for inflation every January 1. Some cities (such as Seattle) set higher local minimum wages.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Washington?
No tip credit. Tipped employees must be paid the full state minimum wage, and tips and service charges paid to employees cannot count toward it. Employers must pay all tips and service charges to employees as the law requires.
What are the overtime rules in Washington?
Time and one-half the regular rate for hours over 40 in a 7-day workweek, regardless of employer size. No daily overtime (except certain public works projects). Only salaried employees who meet the executive, administrative or professional definitions are exempt. Overtime also applies to agricultural workers (phased in by law).
Are breaks required by law in Washington?
Rest break: a paid 10-minute break for every 4 hours worked, with no more than 3 hours worked without a break. Meal break: at least 30 minutes for shifts over 5 hours, starting between the 2nd and 5th hour; unpaid only if the employee is completely free of duties. Additional meal periods apply to shifts running more than 3 hours past schedule. Employees may waive the meal break by agreement with the employer. Different rules apply to minors, agricultural workers and some health care workers.
When do I get my final paycheck if I'm fired in Washington?
On or before the next regularly scheduled payday. Employers cannot hold the final paycheck because the employee has not returned keys, uniforms, tools or equipment.
When do I get my final paycheck if I quit in Washington?
On or before the next regularly scheduled payday.
Does an employer have to pay out unused PTO in Washington?
Not required. Vacation, personal holidays and severance are voluntary benefits the employer may choose to pay out. Agreed-upon benefits can be pursued in small claims court or with an attorney. Paid sick leave has separate rules.
How often must employees be paid in Washington?
At least once a month, on a regular, scheduled payday.
Do employers have to give pay stubs in Washington?
Required on each payday: an itemized statement, separate from the paycheck, showing the pay basis (hours or days worked), rate(s) of pay, gross wages, all deductions, and the pay period dates. It may be electronic if the employee can receive and copy it on payday.
Is paid sick leave required in Washington?
Yes. Employees earn at least 1 hour of paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked, paid at their normal hourly pay. They can start using it 90 days after starting work. Unused balances of 40 hours or less must carry over to the next year. Employers must give a statement of sick leave balance at least monthly. A few exceptions apply (such as doctors, lawyers, dentists and certain salaried executives).
Where do I file a job discrimination complaint in Washington?
Washington State Human Rights Commission. The Washington Law Against Discrimination covers employers with eight or more employees (not religious nonprofits). A complaint must be filed within six months of the discriminatory act; pregnancy discrimination complaints within one year; whistleblower retaliation complaints within two years.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Washington?
Currently limited: a non-compete is void unless the terms were disclosed in writing by the time the job offer was accepted (or, if signed later, extra consideration is given); the employee's annualized earnings exceed $100,000 adjusted each year for inflation; and, if the employee is laid off, the employer pays base salary during the restricted period. Non-competes over 18 months are presumed unreasonable. Starting June 30, 2027, all non-compete agreements become void and unenforceable, no matter when they were signed.
How do I apply for unemployment in Washington?
Washington Employment Security Department (ESD). Apply and file weekly claims online through ESD's eServices account.

Employment Law in other states

More Washington law

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.