Employers receiving DC government contracts or assistance, including major hotels with city-supported financing, must pay covered workers the annually adjusted DC Living Wage, which exceeds the standard minimum wage.
The Living Wage Act of 2006 (DC Code 2-220.01 et seq.) requires recipients of DC government contracts of $100,000 or more, and recipients of government assistance like tax abatements above $100,000, to pay employees a living wage. The Department of Employment Services publishes the rate annually; for FY2026 it sits above $18 per hour. Hotels that received DC bond financing, PILOT agreements, or land transfers are typically covered. Posted notices, payroll certifications, and recordkeeping are mandatory, and DOES audits compliance.
Underpayment exposes contractors to back wages, liquidated damages, contract debarment, and civil penalties enforced by the Department of Employment Services and DC Attorney General.
Washington, DC
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See how Washington's hotel living wage rules stack up against other locations.
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