Seattle Minimum Wage (2026)
Local pay and leave rules for people who work in Seattle, Washington, with the official city source for each — plus the state rules that still apply.
Short answer: $21.30 per hour in 2026 for all employers. Scheduled increase: $22.14 per hour on January 1, 2027. The rate is adjusted each January 1 based on the regional CPI-W. Seattle Minimum Wage Ordinance, SMC 14.19
| Local minimum wage | $21.30 per hour in 2026 for all employers. Scheduled increase: $22.14 per hour on January 1, 2027. The rate is adjusted each January 1 based on the regional CPI-W. |
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| Washington state 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). |
| Paid sick leave (local law) | Employees accrue paid sick and safe time based on employer size (full-time equivalents worldwide): Tier 1 (1-49) and Tier 2 (50-249) at 1 hour per 40 hours worked, Tier 3 (250+) at 1 hour per 30 hours worked. Annual carryover caps are 40 hours (Tier 1), 56 hours (Tier 2) and 72 hours (Tier 3; 108 hours for employers with PTO). |
Washington labor laws · Minimum wage by state · Overtime calculator
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.