USA: Washington 2027 Minimum Wage Rises to $17.73/Hour

Washington State will increase its minimum wage to $17.73 per hour effective 1 January 2027. The 3.5% CPI-W increase keeps Washington as the highest state minimum wage in the United States. The change also triggers the final phase of the exempt salary threshold schedule for large employers, raising the threshold to $1,773 per week or $92,196 per year.

Effective Date

• 1 January 2027

Published

• Washington State Department of Labor & Industries – 30 September 2026

Payroll action

• Update Washington payroll systems to apply the $17.73 per hour minimum wage from 1 January 2027.
• Review exempt employees against the applicable salary threshold based on employer size: $92,196 for employers with 51+ Washington employees and $82,976 for employers with 50 or fewer.
• Increase salaries for exempt employees below the applicable threshold or reclassify them as non-exempt and apply overtime rules.
• Update payroll logic for employees aged 14–15 to apply the $15.07 youth minimum wage.
• Check each work location for higher local minimum wage requirements, including Seattle, Tukwila, Bellingham, Burien, Everett, Renton and SeaTac.
• Replace Washington workplace posters at applicable worksites before the new rates take effect.

wa.gov