Employment Preemption in Seattle, WA (2026)
3 verified employment preemption rules for Seattle, Washington, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Minimum Wage Preemption
Seattle sets its own minimum wage under Seattle Municipal Code 14.19, and the 2026 rate is $21.30 for every employer, whatever the size of its schedule. The rate rises on January 1 of each year and moves to $22.14 on January 1, 2027. The Office of Labor Standards administers the ordinance, which has been in effect since April 1, 2015.
Seattle Minimum Wage Ordinance: $21.30 in 2026
Some RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code 14.19 — Minimum Wage Ordinance (SHRR Chapter 90)
Seattle's Minimum Wage Ordinance went into effect on April 1, 2015. The Minimum Wage Ordinance sets the minimum wage for employees working within city limits. The minimum wage increases every year on January 1. ... Starting January 1, 2025, all employers, regardless of schedule size, will be required to pay the same minimum wage. Small employers will no longer be able to count tip and/or paymen...
Paid Leave Preemption
Seattle's Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance SMC 14.16 requires every employer to give workers paid leave that accrues from the first hour worked, usable for illness, family care, domestic violence, and public health closures.
Paid Sick and Safe Time Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code 14.16 — Paid Sick and Safe Time (SHRR Chapter 70)
Paid Sick and Safe Time — Ordinance: SMC 14.16; Rules: SHRR Chapter 70. Seattle's Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance went into effect on September 1, 2012. This law requires employers to provide employees who work in Seattle with paid leave: To care for themselves or a family member for a physical or mental health condition, including a doctor appointment; To care for themselves, a family...
Worker Scheduling Preemption
Seattle's Secure Scheduling Ordinance SMC 14.22 requires large retail and food-service employers (500+ employees worldwide; 40+ for full-service restaurants) to give 14 days advance notice of schedules and pay premiums for last-minute changes.
Secure Scheduling Ordinance
Heavy RestrictionsSeattle Municipal Code 14.22 — Secure Scheduling Ordinance (SHRR Chapter 120)
Secure Scheduling — Ordinance: SMC 14.22; Rules: SHRR Chapter 120. Seattle's Secure Scheduling Ordinance went into effect on July 1, 2017. Coverage: Covers hourly employees at retail and food services establishments with 500+ employees worldwide. Full service restaurants also must have 40+ full-service locations worldwide. The Secure Scheduling Ordinance requires employers to: Display a Secure ...
Looking for King County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Seattle city rules.
Employment Preemption in King County →