Washington State Overtime Laws 2026: $17.13 Minimum Wage & OT Rules

Washington State Overtime in 2026

Washington has one of the highest minimum wages and strictest exemption thresholds in the country. Non-exempt workers earn 1.5× their regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek under the Washington Minimum Wage Act (RCW 49.46).

Washington Minimum Wage in 2026

Effective January 1, 2026, Washington's state minimum wage is $17.13/hour — adjusted annually for inflation by L&I. Local minimums are higher:

• Seattle: $20.76/hour (large employers)
• SeaTac: $20.17/hour (hospitality/transportation)
• Tukwila: $21.10/hour (large employers)
• Bellingham: $17.66/hour (effective May 2025)

Your overtime rate is always calculated on your actual regular rate, which must meet or exceed the applicable local minimum.

How to Calculate Washington Overtime

Overtime Pay = Regular Rate × 1.5 × Hours Over 40

Example — A Seattle nurse earning $52/hour works 48 hours:

• Regular pay: 40 × $52 = $2,080
• Overtime pay: 8 × ($52 × 1.5) = $624
• Weekly gross: $2,704

Try it yourself in our Washington Overtime Pay Calculator.

Washington's Higher Salary Exemption Threshold

Unlike most states, Washington has its own salary basis rules that exceed federal FLSA. For 2026:

• Small employers (1–50 employees): salary must be at least 2.25× state minimum wage = roughly $1,542.60/week ($80,215/year)
• Large employers (51+ employees): salary must be at least 2.25× state minimum wage = roughly $1,542.60/week ($80,215/year) (the small/large multiplier converged in 2024)
• Computer professionals (hourly): at least $58.31/hour

If your salary falls below these thresholds, you are non-exempt and entitled to overtime — even if you have a "manager" title.

Washington Industries with High OT Violation Rates

L&I's wage-and-hour data shows the most violations in:

• Restaurants and food service
• Home care agencies
• Construction (independent contractor misclassification)
• Agriculture (now fully covered after the 2021 Sup. Ct. decision)
• Warehouse and last-mile delivery

Agricultural Workers' New OT Rights

After Martinez-Cuevas v. DeRuyter Bros. Dairy (2020) and Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5172, all Washington farmworkers are entitled to overtime after 40 hours — fully phased in as of January 1, 2024.

Recovering Unpaid Overtime in Washington

Under RCW 49.46 and 49.48, you can recover:

• . Unpaid wages going back 3 years
• . Double damages (exemplary damages) if violation was willful
• . 12% interest per year on unpaid wages
• . Attorney's fees and costs

File a Workplace Rights Complaint with Washington L&I (free) or sue in superior court.

Washington Overtime FAQs

Does Washington have daily overtime? No — only weekly (40 hours).

Is the fluctuating workweek method allowed in WA? L&I generally disfavors it; full 1.5× is the safer expectation.

Do salaried workers get OT in Washington? Yes, unless their salary meets the state's high threshold (~$80,215/year in 2026) AND they pass the duties test.

Does Seattle have a different OT multiplier? No — Seattle's higher minimum wage just raises the base that gets multiplied by 1.5.

Key Takeaways

• . WA pays 1.5× after 40 hours/week statewide
• . 2026 minimum wage: $17.13/hour (higher in Seattle/SeaTac/Tukwila)
• . Salary exemption threshold: ~$80,215/year — the strictest in the U.S.
• . Farmworkers now fully covered for OT
• . Recover unpaid wages 3 years back + double damages if willful