Office of Labor Standards Announces Seattle’s 2021 Minimum Wage

The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) announces an increase to the Seattle minimum wage effective January 1, 2021. The increase is required by the Minimum Wage Ordinance. The minimum wage applies to all employees working in Seattle regardless of the workers’ immigration status.

• The 2021 minimum wage for large employers (501 or more employees) is $16.69/hour.
• The 2021 minimum wage for small employers (500 or fewer employees) who do not pay at least $1.69/hour toward the employee’s medical benefits and/or where the employee does not earn at least $1.69/hour in tips is $16.69/hour.
• The 2021 minimum wage for small employers who do pay at least $1.69/hour toward the employee’s medical benefits and/or where the employee does earn at least $1.69/hour in tips is $15.00/hour.

OLS will mail a revised workplace poster containing information on labor standards for 2021 to every business with a Seattle business license. Copies of the workplace poster (in English) will be available for download at the OLS Website. OLS will translate the poster into 19 other languages and will announce availability of the online and print copies via its newsletter. Please sign up for it on the OLS website.  

• Help for employers: for free and private assistance for compliance with Seattle’s minimum wage and other labor standards, call 206-256-5297, email. laborstandards@seattle.gov or click here to fill out an online request form.
• Help for workers and the public: to ask a question, file a complaint, or provide information, call 206-256-5297, email laborstandards@seattle.gov, or click here to fill out a web form.

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