WA minimum wage: $16.28/hr (2026)
📊 Washington Tax Overview 2026
Washington has NO state income tax. Only federal income tax and FICA apply, plus a small PFML contribution of 0.74% which funds up to 12 weeks of paid leave.
| Taxable Income (Single) | CA Tax Rate | Tax on Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| $0 – $10,412 | 1.0% | up to $104 |
| $10,413 – $24,684 | 2.0% | up to $285 |
| $24,685 – $38,959 | 4.0% | up to $571 |
| $38,960 – $54,081 | 6.0% | up to $907 |
| $54,082 – $68,350 | 8.0% | up to $1,141 |
| $68,351 – $349,137 | 9.3% | up to $26,139 |
| $349,138 – $418,961 | 10.3% | up to $7,192 |
| $418,962 – $698,274 | 11.3% | up to $31,560 |
| $698,275+ | 13.3% | highest bracket |
Source: WA L&I · 2026. WA PFML: 0.74%. No state income tax.
💵 Common Wages — Washington After-Tax
Here's what various hourly wages look like after federal tax + WA PFML (no state income tax):
| Hourly Rate | Annual Gross | CA State Tax | Take-Home/yr | Take-Home/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $17/hr | $35,360 | ~$618 | ~$29,400 | ~$2,450 |
| $20/hr | $41,600 | ~$935 | ~$33,500 | ~$2,792 |
| $22/hr | $45,760 | ~$1,155 | ~$36,600 | ~$3,050 |
| $25/hr | $52,000 | ~$1,614 | ~$41,700 | ~$3,475 |
| $30/hr | $62,400 | ~$2,450 | ~$49,600 | ~$4,133 |
| $35/hr | $72,800 | ~$3,350 | ~$57,100 | ~$4,758 |
| $40/hr | $83,200 | ~$4,260 | ~$64,600 | ~$5,383 |
| $50/hr | $104,000 | ~$6,450 | ~$79,400 | ~$6,617 |
🏙️ Washington Major Cities — Wages & Cost of Living 2026
Here's a cost of living overview for major Washington cities:
📖 Washington Tax Guide for Workers 2026
No Washington State Income Tax
Washington is one of 9 states with no income tax on wages. Your only deductions are federal income tax, FICA (7.65%), and the PFML contribution (0.74%). Washington workers take home significantly more than workers in California, New York, or Oregon.
Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML)
Washington's PFML requires employees to contribute 0.74% of gross wages (2026). In return, workers can receive up to 90% of their wages for up to 12 weeks for qualifying family or medical leave — one of the most generous paid leave programs in the U.S.
Washington vs. Oregon
Washington has no income tax; Oregon has up to 9.9% income tax. A $52,000/year worker takes home approximately $3,500 more per year in Washington than Oregon. Washington has higher sales tax (up to 10.25%), but no income tax on wages.
Washington Overtime Law
California has stricter overtime rules than federal law: overtime (1.5× rate) applies after 8 hours in a single day (not just 40 hours/week). Double time (2× rate) applies after 12 hours in a day or after 8 hours on the 7th consecutive day worked. This can significantly increase take-home for hourly workers who work long days.
California COLA & Living Wage
California has the highest cost of living of any U.S. state. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Los Angeles needs ~$30–35/hr to meet basic needs without government assistance. In San Francisco, the equivalent is closer to $38–42/hr. A $17/hr minimum wage, while the highest state minimum in the U.S., still falls short of a true living wage in California's major cities.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
The Washington State minimum wage is $16.28/hour in 2026 — one of the highest in the U.S. Seattle has its own higher minimum of $19.97/hr for large employers.
No — Washington has no income tax on wages. Only federal income tax and FICA (7.65%) apply, plus the 0.74% PFML contribution. This makes WA one of the most tax-friendly states for workers.
Washington Paid Family & Medical Leave (PFML) requires a 0.74% employee contribution in 2026. Workers receive up to 90% of wages for low earners for up to 12 weeks of qualifying leave per year.
$25/hr (~$3,475/month after WA taxes) is comfortable in eastern WA (Spokane: 1BR ~$900–$1,300). It is very challenging in Seattle where 1BR averages $2,200–$3,000+.
At $52,000/year, Washington workers take home ~$41,700/year vs Oregon workers ~$38,200/year — Washington workers keep approximately $3,500 more per year due to no state income tax.