Washington DC Minimum Wage 2026
$18.40
per hour since July 1, 2026
Washington DC's minimum wage is $18.40 an hour, in effect since July 1, 2026. Washington DC adjusts its minimum wage for inflation; the next rate takes effect on July 1, 2027 and has not been published yet.
Reviewed by Slava Akulov, CEO & Co-Founder at Jupid · Last updated: October 2026
Up to 40. Hours over 40 in a workweek go in the overtime field.
Paid at 1.5 times the rate ($27.60 an hour).
Weekly
$736
Monthly (average)
$3,189
Annual
$38,272
Gross pay before taxes. For take-home pay after federal, state and payroll taxes, use the Washington DC hourly paycheck calculator.
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Washington DC Minimum Wage at a Glance
2026 minimum wage
$18.40
Since July 1, 2026
Tipped cash wage
$10.30
Tip credit up to $8.10
Next change
Indexed, from Jul 1, 2027
Inflation-indexed
Overtime
Weekly
1.5 times the regular rate
The rate applies to all workers regardless of employer size; DC's living wage is the same $18.40.
Local Minimum Wages in Washington DC
DC is a single jurisdiction with one rate, so there are no separate local rates.
Tipped Minimum Wage in Washington DC
Employers in Washington DC can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $10.30 an hour and count up to $8.10 an hour of tips toward the $18.40 minimum. If tips fall short, the employer makes up the difference. Under Initiative 82 as amended in 2025 (D.C. Law 26-55), the tipped minimum is 56% of the full minimum wage from July 1, 2026, then 60% from July 1, 2028, 65% from 2030, 70% from 2032 and 75% from 2034. It was $10.00 from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2026.
Cash wage
$10.30
Maximum tip credit
$8.10
Cash wage plus tips must reach
$18.40
Other Washington DC Minimum Wage Rates
- Students employed by colleges and universities: $7.25. May be paid the federal minimum wage
Overtime Rules in Washington DC
Overtime is due at 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. Overtime is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate, so at the $18.40 minimum an overtime hour pays at least $27.60. To work out overtime on any hourly rate, use the overtime pay calculator.
Washington DC Minimum Wage History
| Effective | Hourly rate |
|---|---|
| July 1, 2026 (current) | $18.40 |
| July 1, 2025 | $17.95 |
| July 1, 2024 | $17.50 |
| July 1, 2023 | $17.00 |
Washington DC Minimum Wage in 2027
Washington DC adjusts its minimum wage for inflation; the next rate takes effect on July 1, 2027 and has not been published yet. DC raises its minimum wage every July 1 by the prior year's Washington-area CPI-U, rounded to the nearest $0.05. DOES publishes the July 1, 2027 figure before it takes effect.
Washington DC Minimum Wage FAQ
More Pay Tools for Washington DC
Washington DC Hourly Paycheck Calculator
Take-home pay for hourly work, with overtime and taxes.
Washington DC Paycheck Calculator
Salary take-home pay after federal and state taxes.
Overtime Pay Calculator
Time-and-a-half and double-time pay for any rate.
Employee Cost Calculator
What an hourly hire costs with payroll taxes added.
Minimum Wage in Other States
State minimum wages range from the federal $7.25 to $18.40 an hour in 2026. Pick a state to see its rate, tipped wage and 2027 change.
Official References
- DC Department of Employment Services (DOES), Office of Wage-Hour
- DOES 2026 Minimum Wage Poster
- D.C. Code § 32-1003 (tipped schedule, D.C. Law 26-55)
- U.S. Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws
- U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees
Rates verified against the sources above on October 30, 2026. The calculator shows gross pay only. Industry rates, exemptions and local ordinances can change during the year; check the agency page before setting pay. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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