USA: Washington DC Minimum Wage Rises to $18.40/Hour on 1 July 2026

DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) has officially confirmed the 1 July 2026 minimum wage at $18.40/hour, up from $17.95 — a $0.45 CPI-indexed increase based on the December 2025 CPI for the Washington Metropolitan Area. Tipped employees moves to 56% of regular minimum on the same date under the amended Initiative 82.

Effective Date

• DOES Notice of Living Wage Increase to Employers (2026)

Published Date

• 1 July 2026

Payroll action

• Update payroll system DC minimum wage to $18.40/hour effective 1 July 2026.
• Update tipped employee base to 56% of regular minimum (~$10.30/hour); maintain tip-makeup obligation.
• Order/download updated DOES Minimum Wage Posters and display at each DC worksite.
• If a DC government contractor or recipient of $100K+ assistance: confirm Living Wage rate is met.
• Review pay equity — wage compression may affect longer-tenured DC employees.

DOES