Washington Minimum Wage
RCW 49.46.020
Regulatory Snapshot: Washington Minimum Wage
Washington Minimum Wage (RCW 49.46.020) is an enacted law in Washington under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 1985-01-01 and becomes effective on 2025-01-01. Washington currently reports 7 tracked regulations with 7 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 62/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Washington within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in RCW 49.46.020 itself.
Applicability under Washington Minimum Wage: All Washington employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: L&I enforcement. Private right of action. 3-year back pay. Notable exemptions: Minors under 18: $14.17/hr. Student learners (reduced)..
Summary
Washington minimum wage $16.66/hr (2025) — highest statewide rate in US. No tipped credit. Annual CPI indexing.
Key Requirements
$16.66/hr (2025). No tip credit — all workers receive full minimum. Annual September CPI announcement, January effect.
Penalties
L&I enforcement. Private right of action. 3-year back pay.
Applicability
All Washington employers.
Exemptions
Minors under 18: $14.17/hr. Student learners (reduced).
Official Source
https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/minimum-wage/Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Washington is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Washington Minimum Wage enacted?
Washington Minimum Wage was enacted on 1985-01-01 and became effective on 2025-01-01. It was introduced as RCW 49.46.020.
What are the penalties for violating Washington Minimum Wage?
L&I enforcement. Private right of action. 3-year back pay. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Washington Minimum Wage apply to small businesses?
All Washington employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Washington compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Washington has a regulatory strictness score of 62/100, based on 7 enacted regulations out of 7 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Washington Minimum Wage?
The official text of Washington Minimum Wage (RCW 49.46.020) is available from the Washington legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |