Washington, DC minimum wage 2026
OfficialThe Washington, DC rate, the next increase and a full-time paycheck after tax.
- Minimum wage
- $18.40
- an hour
- Next rate
- none scheduled
- Full time, after tax
- $31,735
- a year
- Rank
- #1 of 51
- by minimum wage, 1 is the highest
What is the minimum wage in Washington, DC in 2026?
The Washington, DC minimum wage is $18.40 an hour, in effect since July 1, 2026 and above the $7.25 federal minimum.
Will the Washington, DC minimum wage go up in 2027?
Probably, but the 2027 rate is not set yet. Washington, DC raises its minimum wage with inflation, and the new rate has not been announced. Until then it is $18.40 an hour.
$17.95 an hour
$18.40 an hour
- Today, November 1, 2026
Adjusted each July 1 by CPI; the July 1, 2027 rate is announced in spring 2027.
How much is minimum wage a year in Washington, DC?
Full time, a Washington, DC minimum wage job pays $38,272 a year before tax.
- A year
- $38,272
- A month
- $3,189.33
- Every two weeks
- $1,472.00
- A week
- $736.00
How this is calculated
- The hourly rate times 40 hours a week times 52 weeks.
How much is a minimum wage paycheck after taxes in Washington, DC?
After taxes, full-time minimum wage work in Washington, DC takes home $31,735 a year. Each paycheck every two weeks comes to $1,220.59. It takes 65.5 hours of work to take home $1,000.
- Take-home per year
- $31,735
- Every two weeks
- $1,220.59
- Per hour after tax
- $15.26
- In national prices
- $28,876
How this is calculated
- Full-time pay of $38,272 through federal, Social Security, Medicare and Washington, DC taxes for 2026.
- The reference worker is a single filer with one job, paid every two weeks, with a standard Form W-4 and no pre-tax deductions, under 65.
Is $20 an hour good pay in Washington, DC?
It is below the middle: $20 an hour is more than 12% of Washington, DC workers earn, but less than half of them. The Washington, DC median wage is $44.01 an hour.
Wage statistics cover employees in all jobs, full and part time, not the self-employed.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Washington, DC?
Tipped workers in Washington, DC can be paid $10.30 an hour if tips bring them to at least $18.40.
The employer must make up the difference in any week tips fall short.
How has the Washington, DC minimum wage changed?
The Washington, DC minimum wage rose from $11.50 an hour in 2016 to $18.40 today. It was $4.25 in 1994.
How does the Washington, DC minimum wage compare with other states?
Washington, DC has the highest minimum wage of all 51, $18.40 an hour.
Questions people ask
How much is minimum wage per week in Washington, DC?
Full time, a Washington, DC minimum wage job takes home $610.29 a week after taxes.
Is the Washington, DC minimum wage worth more in local prices?
No. After taxes and Washington, DC prices, a full-time minimum wage job is worth $28,876 a year at average US prices, less than its $31,735 take-home.