Intro to Washington Labor Laws

The state minimum wage in Washington is $17.13 per hour. 

Some Washington cities and counties have their own wage requirements that exceed Washington’s state-wide minimum wage. Employers with potentially impacted employees should review both state and local requirements.  Below are the minimum wages in some of Washington’s larger cities or localities that exceed the state rate: 

• Seattle - $21.30 per hour

References: 

• Washington Minimum Wage(opens in a new tab)

• Minimum Wage Tracker(opens in a new tab)

The minimum salary threshold in Washington for eligible employees under the Administrative, Executive, or Professional exemption is $1,541.70/week ($80,168.40/year).

References: Minimum Exemption Threshold(opens in a new tab)

In Washington, employers are required to provide employees with at least one 30-minute meal break for any shift lasting five or more hours and one paid 10-minute rest break for every four hours of work. Employees can’t be required to work more than three hours without a rest break. Employees may also be entitled to additional meal periods depending on the length of the shift.

References: Rest Breaks, Meal Periods, & Schedules(opens in a new tab)

Washington state law requires employers to provide reasonable paid or unpaid breaks for employees to pump breast milk in a private space that’s not a bathroom for up to two years after childbirth. 

References: Pregnancy Accommodations(opens in a new tab)