Employment Preemption in Washington (2026)

5 rules on the books across Washington, 1 city or county. Select a rule to read the full details.

Severity: Few Restrictions · Light Restrictions · Some Restrictions · Significant Restrictions · Heavy Restrictions

Minimum Wage Preemption

Whether your state prevents cities from setting a higher local minimum wage, and what the statewide wage floor is.

Washington RCW 49.46 sets a statewide minimum wage adjusted annually for inflation; as of 2026 it is $17.13 per hour…

Seattle's Minimum Wage Ordinance SMC 14.19 sets a citywide floor well above Washington's, reaching $20.76 per hour in…

Whether your state blocks cities from mandating paid sick leave or paid family leave for private employers.

Washington RCW 49.46.200 mandates paid sick leave for nearly all employees, and RCW 50A.04 provides paid family and…

Seattle's Paid Sick and Safe Time (PSST) Ordinance SMC 14.16 requires every employer to give workers paid leave that…

State limits on local "predictive scheduling" or "fair workweek" ordinances that would require advance notice of shifts.

Seattle's Secure Scheduling Ordinance SMC 14.22 requires large retail and food-service employers (500+ employees…