Minimum Wage Preemption: Lakewood vs Tacoma
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Lakewood, WA and Tacoma, WA?
Tacoma has fewer restrictions than Lakewood.
Lakewood, WA
Pierce County
Washington RCW 49.46 establishes a state minimum wage with annual CPI adjustments and permits cities to set higher local minimum wages, unlike many preemption states.
View full Lakewood rules →Tacoma, WA
Pierce County
Tacoma voters passed Initiative 1B in 2015 to raise the local minimum wage, but the local floor was structured to track the higher Washington state minimum, which sits at $16.66 per hour for 2026 under RCW 49.46.020.
View full Tacoma rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Lakewood | Tacoma |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| 2026 state minimum | - | $16.66 per hour |
| State authority | - | RCW 49.46.020 |
| Local origin | - | Initiative 1B 2015 |
| Tip credit | - | Banned statewide |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Lakewood FAQ
Can Washington cities set higher minimum wages?
Yes, Washington does not preempt local minimum wage ordinances. Several cities have higher rates than the state minimum.
Are tipped workers paid less than minimum wage?
No, Washington requires the full minimum wage for all employees regardless of tips. There is no tip credit.
Tacoma FAQ
Is the Tacoma minimum wage higher than state?
No longer. Tacoma's Initiative 1B was structured to defer to the higher state minimum, and Washington's annually adjusted rate now exceeds the local schedule.
Can Tacoma minors earn less than the state minimum?
Yes. Workers ages 14 and 15 may earn 85 percent of the state minimum wage under Washington Labor and Industries rules, but workers 16 and older earn the full rate.
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