Seattle’s Minimum Wage Increased Jan. 1

The City of Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) announces the increase to the Seattle minimum wage beginning on January 1, 2018. The increase to the minimum wage reflects inflation adjustments and annual increases required by the Minimum Wage ordinance.

The 2018 minimum wage for large employers (501 or more employees) who do not pay toward the individual employee’s medical benefit plan is $15.45/hour. The 2018 minimum wage for large employers who do pay toward the individual employee’s medical benefits is $15/hour.

The 2018 minimum wage for small employers (500 or fewer employees) who do not pay at least $2.50 per hour toward the individual employee’s medical benefits and/or where the employee does not earn at least $2.50 per hour in tips is $14/hour.

The 2018 minimum wage for small employers who do pay at least $2.50 per hour toward the individual employee’s medical benefits and/or where the employee does earn at least $2.50 per hour in tips is $11.50/hour.

Revised Labor Standards posters for 2018, which are required to be posted by all businesses with workers in Seattle, have been mailed to every business with a Seattle business license. English copies are also available for download at the OLS Website and can be picked up at OLS at 810 3rd Avenue, Suite 375, and at every City of Seattle Customer Service Center. OLS is in the process of translating the poster into twelve other languages.

Help for employers: For free and private compliance assistance with Minimum Wage and any Seattle labor standard, or to schedule a training, call 206-256-5297 or email business.laborstandards@seattle.gov.
Help for workers and the public: To ask a question, file a complaint, or provide information, call 206-256-5297, email workers.laborstandards@seattle.gov, visit the OLS in downtown Seattle at 810 Third Ave. Suite 375, or click here to fill out a web form.

Seattle’s Minimum Wage Ordinance applies to employees working in Seattle, regardless of the employees’ immigration status.