Washington's statewide minimum wage under RCW 49.46.020 is $16.66 per hour in 2026 with annual inflation adjustments; cities including Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Renton set higher local floors under their own ordinances.
Washington sets a statewide minimum wage under RCW 49.46.020, originally adopted by Initiative 688 in 1998 and raised by Initiative 1433 in 2016. The Department of Labor and Industries adjusts the wage each January based on the Consumer Price Index, reaching $16.66 per hour in 2026. Washington does not preempt cities from adopting higher floors, unlike many states. Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, and Renton set higher minimum wages by ordinance or initiative. Unincorporated King County uses the state minimum wage and has no separate local floor.
Paying below the applicable state or local minimum wage can trigger back pay, interest, double damages, and civil penalties under chapter 49.46 RCW, plus separate enforcement by city labor standards offices.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Kirkland, WA
Leaf blowers and power equipment are restricted to 8 AM to 8 PM weekdays and 9 AM to 6 PM on weekends and holidays under KMC 11.84A. Kirkland has not adopted...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland sits about 20 miles north of Sea-Tac and is lightly affected by commercial flights. Kenmore Air seaplanes and Renton Municipal general aviation caus...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland does not impose a citywide overnight parking ban, but enforces the 72-hour rule, signed residential permit zones, and no-parking signs at parks, tra...
Kirkland, WA
Kirkland driveways must remain paved, accessible, and used for vehicle parking per KMC Title 115 zoning code, which limits front-yard paving and requires app...
Kirkland, WA
EV charging in Kirkland follows the Washington State Energy Code, which requires EV-ready capacity in new multifamily and commercial parking and protects pub...
Kirkland, WA
Under KZC 115.40, Kirkland fences may be up to 6 feet except within 15 feet of a street curb. Properties on a neighborhood access or collector street are cap...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in King County.
See how Kirkland's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.