Seattle's Minimum Wage Ordinance SMC 14.19 sets a citywide floor well above Washington's, reaching $20.76 per hour in 2025 for all employers with a single rate after small-business tip and benefit credits sunset in 2025.
Seattle phased in a $15 minimum wage starting 2014, indexed annually for CPI. As of January 1, 2025, the rate is $20.76 per hour for all employers regardless of size, eliminating the prior small-employer schedule and tip/medical-benefit credit. The Office of Labor Standards (OLS) enforces. Coverage extends to anyone working two or more hours in Seattle in any two-week period, including remote, gig, and visiting workers. Employers must post the OLS notice, keep three years of payroll records, and provide itemized pay statements showing rate, hours, and deductions.
Underpaying, miscoding hours, or retaliating against complainants triggers OLS investigations, back wages with interest, liquidated damages equal to the unpaid amount, civil penalties, and possible business-license consequences.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Seattle, WA
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Seattle, WA
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See how Seattle's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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