Minimum Wage Hike for Seattle Employees

Employees in the Northwest’s “Emerald City” will have more money in their pockets this year thanks to a minimum wage increase that went into effect January 1, 2017.

Breakdown of the Minimum Wage Increase

The city has already issued its updated minimum wage poster, which includes the following provisions for large and small employers:

• Large employers (501 or more employees) who don’t contribute to their employees’ medical benefits must pay a minimum wage of $15.00 per hour.
• Large employers who do contribute to their employees’ medical benefits must pay a minimum wage of $13.50 per hour.
• Small employers (500 or fewer employees) who don’t contribute at least $2.00 per hour toward employees’ medical benefits and/or whose employees don’t earn at least $2.00 per hour in tips must pay a minimum wage of $13.00 per hour.
• Small employers who do contribute at least $2.00 per hour toward employees’ medical benefits and/or whose employees do earn at least $2.00 per hour in tips must pay a minimum wage of $11.00 per hour.

Are There Other Changes for Seattle?

At this time, there are no changes to Seattle’s Fair Chance Employment, Wage Theft, and Paid Sick & Safe Time ordinances, all of which appear on the poster.

We Can Help You Stay in Compliance

If you sign up for our City/County Poster 1-Year Plan, you will automatically receive the updated Seattle poster as soon as it becomes available. And because we provide free poster updates for mandatory changes, no matter how many changes occur during the year, you can count on us to keep you in compliance!