Seattle Minimum Wage 2026
The minimum wage in Seattle, WA is $20.76/hr ($4.10 above the $16.66 Washington state minimum). Applies to all employers as of 2025 after the small-employer tier was eliminated. Tipped workers must be paid the full city minimum before tips.
Seattle vs. Washington vs. federal
Seattle sets a higher floor than Washington law ($16.66/hr statewide) and well above the federal minimum of $7.25/hr. When city, state, and federal minimums differ, employers must pay the highest rate for hours worked inside Seattle city limits. Workers earning at the Seattle minimum make $13.51 more per hour than the federal floor.
What this means for hiring in Seattle
A higher local wage means every hour of a bad hire costs more. The cost of replacing an hourly worker typically runs 30% of first-year wages, and in Seattle that number sits well above what it would be elsewhere in Washington. That's why employers here are moving away from resume-only screening toward seeing real proof of skill before they bring someone on.
On Vetano, every candidate in Seattle is ID-verified and shows their skills on video before you ever see their profile, so you spend your Seattle minimum-wage hours on people who can actually do the job.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Seattle?+
$20.76 per hour as of 2026-07-26. Applies to all employers as of 2025 after the small-employer tier was eliminated. Tipped workers must be paid the full city minimum before tips.
Is Seattle's minimum wage higher than Washington's state minimum?+
Yes. Seattle requires $20.76/hr, compared to $16.66/hr statewide. The higher rate applies to work performed within city limits.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Seattle?+
Seattle requires the full local minimum for tipped workers, before tips.
Is Seattle's minimum wage going up?+
No scheduled increases at this time.
Hiring hourly workers in Seattle?
Post a job on Vetano and reach ID-verified candidates in Seattle who show their skills on video. First 30 days free.
Free for talent to get hired. Talent Pro ($79/mo) is optional for gig work, and Vetano never takes a cut of what workers earn.
Other city minimum wages
Cities where the local minimum exceeds the state rate. Also see the full state wage index.