WASHINGTON MINIMUM WAGE
What is minimum wage?
The minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate that a non-exempt employee may be paid by their employer.
What is the WA minimum wage rate?
Washington minimum wage rate varies by the year. The chart below sets out the rate by year it must be paid
Year / WA Minimum Wage Rate
(14 & 15 year olds may be paid at 85% of the minimum wage rate)
2015 – Minimum wage rate $9.47
2016 – Minimum wage rate $9.47
2017 – Minimum wage rate $11.00
2018 – Minimum wage rate $11.50
2019 – Minimum wage rate $12.00
2020 – Minimum wage rate $13.50
2021 – Minimum wage rate $13.69
2022 – Minimum wage rate $14.49
What if my employer pays me less than the minimum wage rate?
You can file a lawsuit against your employer. The suit, or wage claim, would likely seek to recover up to twice the amount of unpaid minimum wages.
What is the federal minimum wage rate?
Washington employees must generally be paid the higher wage rate set by Washington. The FLSA minimum wage rate, by year, are as follows:
Year / FLSA Minimum Wage Rate
2007 $5.85
2008 $6.55
2009 $7.25
What if my employer pays me less than the FLSA minimum wage rate?
You can file a wage claim lawsuit for the amount of unpaid minimum wages, and for liquidated damages which equal the amount of unpaid wages. For example, if you were owed $2,000 in unpaid minimum wages, you could sue for up to $2,000 under the FLSA. In addition, you also may consider a Washington wage claim for double damages. (Washington Wage Page). Combined with an FLSA wage claim, this could entitle you to triple the amount of unpaid minimum wages, or in the above example $3,000.
What if my employer pays me at or above the minimum wage rate, but does not pay me for all hours I worked?</strong
Employers must pay for all hours you work. (Washington Hours Worked Page) Where your gross pay divided by the number of hours actually worked is less than the minimum wage rate, a minimum wage claim lawsuit can be brought. Where your gross pay divided by the number of hours actually worked is greater than the minimum wage, you still may still be able to file a wage claim lawsuit seeking unpaid wages, but likely do not have a minimum wage claim. (Washington Wage Page) Wage Claim Attorneys. The lawyers at Schuck Law, LLC focus their law practice on wage claim lawsuits. Our lawyers regularly prosecute minimum wage claim lawsuits for employees who were not paid all their minimum wages. In addition to the claims for damages outlined above, a Washington employee may also sue to recover their costs, disbursements, and attorney fees incurred in prosecution of the Washington minimum wage claim lawsuit. This allows the attorneys at Schuck Law, LLC to take most Washington minimum wage claim lawsuits on a contingency fee basis. This means, with minor exceptions that are within your control, that our attorneys only get paid their attorney fees if they recover wages for you.