District of Columbia Labor Laws: An Employer's Overview
District of Columbia (DC) · Labor law overview · Last reviewed June 2026
Overtime
Weekly (40 hr)
Minimum wage
Above federal
Meal breaks
Not mandated
Overtime
District of Columbia follows the federal rule: time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek, with no separate daily-overtime requirement.
Minimum wage
District of Columbia sets a minimum wage above the federal $7.25 and updates it periodically — confirm the current figure before running payroll.
Breaks
District of Columbia has no general adult meal-break mandate, though offered short breaks must be paid.
Paid sick leave & final pay
District of Columbia mandates paid sick leave. Final-paycheck timing is state-specific — see the dedicated guides linked below for details, and always confirm against the official source.
Official sources
More District of Columbia guides
Labor law overview in other states
District of Columbia labor law overview: frequently asked questions
What are the main labor laws employers should know in District of Columbia?
The essentials are overtime (federal 40-hour weekly), minimum wage (a state rate above federal), and breaks (no state meal mandate).
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