Seattle’s minimum wage will rise to $22.14 an hour from 1 January 2027, an increase of 84 cents announced by the city’s Office of Labor Standards.
The new rate will apply to employees working within Seattle city limits, regardless of the size of their employer. It will replace the current 2026 minimum wage of $21.30 an hour. ([laborstandards.seattle.gov](https://laborstandards.seattle.gov/2026/09/28/office-of-labor-standards-announces-seattles-2027-minimum-wage/))
Seattle minimum wage to rise with inflation
The annual adjustment is required under Seattle’s Minimum Wage Ordinance and is linked to inflation measured by the Consumer Price Index for the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue area.
The Office of Labor Standards said the wage applies regardless of an employee’s immigration status. Businesses with a Seattle licence will be sent updated workplace posters setting out the labour standards for 2027. ([laborstandards.seattle.gov](https://laborstandards.seattle.gov/2026/09/28/office-of-labor-standards-announces-seattles-2027-minimum-wage/))
Small businesses will also have to pay the full $22.14 hourly rate. Changes introduced in 2025 ended the ability of smaller employers to count tips or payments towards an employee’s medical benefits as part of their minimum compensation.
That means employers across the city must meet the full minimum wage through direct pay, rather than reducing the amount to reflect tips or qualifying medical benefits.
Washington’s statewide minimum wage is $17.13 an hour in 2026, although local authorities can set higher rates. The state rate is also adjusted annually using a cost-of-living formula. ([lni.wa.gov](https://lni.wa.gov/workers-rights/wages/minimum-wage/))
