Current minimum wage in District of Columbia
Washington DC has one of the highest minimum wages in the country at $18.40 an hour as of July 1, 2026, and it applies to employers of every size. The District adjusts its rate every July for inflation, and tipped workers receive a base wage of $10.30 with employers covering any shortfall.
The rate rose from $17.95 (effective July 1, 2025) to $18.40 on July 1, 2026, an increase of $0.45 an hour or $936 a year for a full-time worker.
Next scheduled change
Both the full and tipped rates are adjusted for inflation each July 1, with the next change due July 1, 2027.
Tipped minimum wage
Employers may pay tipped employees a cash wage of $10.30 an hour and count tips toward the rest, as long as total pay reaches $18.40 an hour. The federal tipped cash wage is $2.13. Tipped workers receive a base wage of $10.30 an hour, and employers must pay the difference if weekly average tips do not bring pay to $18.40.
What minimum wage pays in District of Columbia
| Hours per week | Weekly pay | Yearly pay |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hours | $368.00 | $19,136 |
| 25 hours | $460.00 | $23,920 |
| 30 hours | $552.00 | $28,704 |
| 35 hours | $644.00 | $33,488 |
| 40 hours | $736.00 | $38,272 |
After federal and District of Columbia taxes, a full-time minimum wage worker who files single keeps about $31,735 a year, or $1,221 per biweekly check. Run your own numbers with the District of Columbia paycheck calculator or see the full breakdown for $18 an hour.
Overtime rules
Follows the federal 40-hour weekly overtime rule.
City and county minimum wages
One minimum wage applies across the whole District.
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks #1 of 51 for its minimum wage. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in District of Columbia in 2026?
The District of Columbia minimum wage is $18.40 an hour as of July 1, 2026.
What is the tipped minimum wage in District of Columbia?
Employers in District of Columbia may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $10.30 an hour, as long as tips bring total pay to at least $18.40. Tipped workers receive a base wage of $10.30 an hour, and employers must pay the difference if weekly average tips do not bring pay to $18.40.
When does the District of Columbia minimum wage go up next?
Both the full and tipped rates are adjusted for inflation each July 1, with the next change due July 1, 2027.
How much is minimum wage in District of Columbia per year?
At $18.40 an hour, a 40-hour week pays $736 and a full year pays $38,272 before taxes. A single filer keeps about $31,735 after federal and District of Columbia taxes.
How does overtime work in District of Columbia?
Follows the federal 40-hour weekly overtime rule.