Washington Wage and Hour Law

Overtime Law in Washington

Washington overtime law states that most hourly workers should receive overtime for hours worked in excess of 40 in a 7-day workweek. Overtime should be paid at a rate of 1.5 times the worker's regular rate. Washington overtime law does not guarantee premium pay to employees who request comp time instead of premium pay. For more information on overtime law in Washington, visit the website of the WA Dept. of Labor and Industries.

Minimum Wage in Washington

The current Washington minimum wage for agriculture and non-agricultural workers is $8.55 per hour. Workers between the ages of 14 and 15 may be paid $7.27 per hour, or 85% of the current minimum wage.

Washington wage and hour law requires L&I to make a cost-of-living adjustment to the minimum wage every year based on the federal CPI for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers.

Meal Periods and Rest Breaks

Washington wage and hour law requires that workers receive a paid, 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours worked. The rest period must be given no later than the end of the third hour of the shift.

If an employee works more than five hours:

• He or she must be given a 30-minute meal period
• He or she must have worked for at least two hours before taking the meal break
• The meal break cannot begin more than five hours after the shift begins

Payment of Wages

Workers must be paid on regularly scheduled paydays at least once per month.

Final Wages

Employees who quit or are fired must be paid on the next regular payday.

For more information, view the Washington Department of Labor Website