2026 HR Compliance Guide
Washington HR Compliance Deadlines for 2026
5 verified employment law changes affecting Washington employers in 2026 — with effective dates, required actions, and penalties for non-compliance. Every entry cites an official government or agency source.
Washington state law changes
Washington State Minimum Wage Increase to $17.13/hr
Washington State's minimum wage increases from $16.66 to $17.13 per hour on January 1, 2026, based on the annual CPI adjustment under Initiative 1433. Washington does not allow tip credits, so tipped employees must receive the full minimum wage. Several cities (Seattle, Tukwila, SeaTac) maintain higher local rates.
New: $17.13/hr (was $16.66/hr)
Applies to: All Washington State employers
What to do: Update payroll to $17.13/hr, ensure tipped employees receive full minimum wage, verify compliance with local ordinances in Seattle, Tukwila, and SeaTac, and update required postings.
Penalty: Back wages, liquidated damages, interest, civil penalties up to $1,000 per violation
Washington PFML — Premium Rate Increases to 1.13%
Effective January 1, 2026, the Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave premium rate increases to 1.13% of employee wages (up from 0.92% in 2025). Employers pay 28.57% and employees pay 71.43% of the total premium. Employers with fewer than 50 employees are not required to pay the employer share but must still collect and remit the employee portion.
Applies to: Employers with Washington employees (employer share required only for employers with 50+ employees)
What to do: Update payroll systems to the 1.13% rate effective for Q1 2026 wages and adjust the employer/employee premium split accordingly.
Penalty: Late premium remittance accrues interest and penalties under Washington's PFML program.
City & county ordinances in Washington
Tukwila Minimum Wage Increase to $21.65/hr
Tukwila's minimum wage increases to $21.65 per hour on January 1, 2026, making it one of the highest local minimum wages in the United States. Approved by voters under Proposition 1, the rate is adjusted annually for CPI. Different rates may apply based on employer size and whether benefits are provided.
New: $21.65/hr
Applies to: All employers with employees working in Tukwila
What to do: Update payroll to $21.65/hr for employees working within Tukwila city limits, verify applicable rate based on employer size and benefits offered, and post required Tukwila minimum wage notices.
Penalty: Back wages, civil penalties, and enforcement actions under the Tukwila minimum wage ordinance
Burien, WA Minimum Wage Increase to $21.63/hr (Large Employers)
Burien's local minimum wage for large employers (500+ employees) is $21.63/hr effective January 1, 2026, and $20.63/hr for mid-size employers (21-499). Employers with 20 or fewer employees are not covered. Burien's rate is among the highest in the nation.
New: $21.63/hr (500+ employees); $20.63/hr (21-499) (was $21.16/hr (large employers))
Applies to: Employers with employees working in Burien, WA (rate varies by employer size)
What to do: Determine your Burien employer-size tier and update payroll to $21.63 (large) or $20.63 (mid-size) effective January 1, 2026.
Penalty: Back wages, damages, and civil penalties under the Burien minimum wage ordinance.
SeaTac Minimum Wage Increase to $20.74/hr
SeaTac's minimum wage for hospitality and transportation workers increases to $20.74 per hour on January 1, 2026, reflecting the annual CPI adjustment under Proposition 1. This rate primarily applies to workers in the hospitality and transportation industries within the city, particularly those working at or near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
New: $20.74/hr (was $20.17/hr)
Applies to: Hospitality and transportation employers operating in SeaTac
What to do: Update payroll to $20.74/hr for covered hospitality and transportation workers in SeaTac, verify which employees fall under the ordinance's scope, and update required postings.
Penalty: Back wages, civil penalties, and enforcement actions
Federal deadlines that also apply
These federal requirements apply to Washington employers alongside the state rules above.
Stay compliant — and turn it into recertification credits
Track every Washington deadline on our free interactive compliance calendar, check how many HRCI or SHRM credits you still need with the Gap Planner, or start earning credits now with a free course.