Seattle Minimum Wage 2027: $22.14 an Hour
Short answer: Seattle's minimum wage goes from $21.30 to $22.14 an hour on January 1, 2027, a raise of $0.84 (3.9%). A full-time worker earns about $46,051.20 a year before taxes. That is $4.41 an hour more than Washington's $17.73 state minimum.
Seattle pay at $22.14
| Schedule | At $21.30 (2026) | At $22.14 (2027) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $21.30 | $22.14 | +$0.84 |
| Per week | $852.00 | $885.60 | +$33.60 |
| Per two-week paycheck | $1,704.00 | $1,771.20 | +$67.20 |
| Per month | $3,692.00 | $3,837.60 | +$145.60 |
| Per year | $44,304.00 | $46,051.20 | +$1,747.20 |
How the increase is determined
Seattle's Minimum Wage Ordinance (SMC 14.19) has required annual inflation adjustments since the law took effect in April 2015. The Office of Labor Standards uses the CPI-W for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, announced in the fall each year for the following January 1. The ordinance applies to employees working within city limits regardless of immigration status. Since January 1, 2025, every employer pays the same minimum wage regardless of how many employees it has, and small employers can no longer count tips or medical-plan payments toward the minimum.
Seattle compared with nearby Washington jurisdictions
| Jurisdiction | 2027 hourly | Full-time annual | vs. Seattle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burien | $22.49 | $46,779 | +$0.35 |
| Tukwila | $22.45 | $46,696 | +$0.31 |
| Renton | $22.28 | $46,342 | +$0.14 |
| Seattle | $22.14 | $46,051 | — |
| Unincorporated King County | $21.57 | $44,866 | −$0.57 |
| Everett (large employers) | $21.52 | $44,762 | −$0.62 |
| SeaTac (hospitality & transportation) | $21.47 | $44,658 | −$0.67 |
| Bellingham | $19.73 | $41,038 | −$2.41 |
| Washington state minimum | $17.73 | $36,878 | −$4.41 |
See the rules for each city and the state's youth rate on the Washington minimum wage 2027 page.
Worked example: a Seattle server and the tips deduction
A server works 30 hours a week for 50 weeks at Seattle's $22.14 minimum and receives $9,000 of qualified tips. Gross wages: 22.14 × 30 × 50 = $33,210. Treating wages plus tips as MAGI of $42,210 for 2027 as a single filer, the no-tax-on-tips deduction is $9,000 and the estimated federal tax savings are about $1,080 at a 12% marginal rate.
Because Washington does not allow tips to count toward the minimum wage, this worker's tips are on top of the $22.14. Estimate yours with the tips calculator and check the list of tipped occupations.
OLS says it will mail a revised workplace poster for 2027 to every business with a Seattle business license, with translations in more than 30 languages available soon. Update payroll systems before the first January 2027 pay period.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Seattle in 2027?
Seattle's minimum wage will be $22.14 per hour starting January 1, 2027, up from $21.30 in 2026, according to the Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS), which announced it on September 28, 2026.
How is the Seattle minimum wage set?
The Minimum Wage Ordinance requires an annual increase equal to the rate of inflation, based on the CPI-W for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area, according to OLS.
Who does it apply to?
It applies to employees working within Seattle city limits, regardless of immigration status. A person who works partly in Seattle and partly elsewhere may be due different rates for different hours.
Do small employers in Seattle pay a different rate?
Not since 2025. The city says that starting January 1, 2025, all employers regardless of schedule size must pay the same minimum wage, and small employers may no longer count tips or payments toward an employee's medical benefit plan toward minimum compensation.
How much does a full-time Seattle minimum wage worker earn in 2027?
At $22.14 an hour and 2,080 hours, about $46,051.20 a year before taxes, or $3,837.60 a month.
Is Seattle higher than the Washington state minimum?
Yes. The state minimum is $17.73, so Seattle's $22.14 is $4.41 an hour (about 24.9%) higher.
Where do I confirm the rate or report a problem?
The Seattle Office of Labor Standards administers the ordinance; see its minimum wage page. Washington L&I also takes complaints about unpaid wages statewide.
Sources and citations
Every dollar figure on this page was checked against the official pages below on November 14, 2026. If an agency updates its guidance, the agency page controls.
- Seattle Office of Labor Standards: Seattle's 2027 minimum wage announcement (Sept. 28, 2026)
- Seattle Office of Labor Standards: Minimum Wage ordinance page
- Washington L&I news release 26-17: Washington's minimum wage rises to $17.73 an hour in 2027 (Sept. 30, 2026)
- Washington L&I: Minimum Wage
- Miller Nash LLP: Washington State minimum wage updates for 2027, including local governments (secondary source)