The cities of Everett, Renton, and SeaTac recently announced their new minimum wage rates that go into effect on January 1, 2026.
Everett minimum wage: The City of Everett’s new minimum wage rates (excluding tips/service charges) are:
- Large employers (500+ employees, including franchises under common control): $20.77 per hour, up from last year’s $20.24 per hour.
- Smaller employers (15 – 499 employees or an annual gross revenue of $2 million or more): $18.77 per hour, up from last year’s $18.24 ($2.00 less than the rate for large employers) as of January 1, 2026. It will increase on July 1, 2026, to $19.77 per hour, a rate $1.00 less than the rate for large employers. The $1.00 less rate will continue until July 1, 2027, at which time it will match the rate for large employers.
- Employers with fewer than 15 employees or less than $2 million in annual gross revenue are not covered by Everett’s minimum wage.
Everett employers are also required to display the minimum wage poster that can be found online on the City of Everett’s webpage.
Renton minimum wage: The City of Renton’s new minimum wage rates are:
- Large employers (more than 500 employees worldwide including temporary agency employees and all franchisees associated with a franchisor or a network of franchisees that employ more than 500 employees in aggregate): $21.57 per hour, up from last year’s $20.90 per hour.
- Mid-sized employers (at least 15 but no more than 500 employees worldwide or over $2 million of annual gross revenue in Renton): $20.57 per hour ($1.00 less than the minimum rate for large employers), up from last year’s $19.90 per hour; beginning July 1, 2026, the hourly rate will be $21.57 per hour.
- Employers that do not fall within the Large or Mid-Size Employer categories are not covered by the new minimum wage rates but must meet the State of Washington’s wage rates.
Employers are also required to annually certify compliance with the chapter.
SeaTac minimum wage: The City of SeaTac’s new minimum wage, which covers certain transportation and hospitality employees working within the city, is $20.74 per hour (up from $20.17 per hour).
Tips: If your employees are subject to a local minimum wage that is higher than the Washington statewide rate, you must pay the higher amount. We previously reported on the new statewide minimum wage rate, and minimum wage rates for the cities of Bellingham, Burien, Seattle, Tukwila, and unincorporated King County. For more information on overtime exemptions in Washington, see our Legal Guide, State Laws on the White Collar Exemptions from Overtime.
Vigilant members: If you have questions about which rates apply to your employees or whether they are exempt, contact your Vigilant Law Group employment attorney.
