Tipped Minimum Wage in Washington
Washington (WA) · Tipped minimum wage · Last reviewed June 2026
Federal tipped wage
$2.13/hr cash
Tip credit
Not allowed
Must reach
Full min with tips
How the tip credit works
Under federal law, employers can pay tipped employees a cash wage as low as $2.13 per hour and claim a 'tip credit' for the difference — but only if tips bring the worker up to at least the full minimum wage. If tips fall short, the employer must make up the gap.
Tipped wages in Washington
Washington does not allow a tip credit. Tipped employees must be paid the full state minimum wage in cash, with tips on top.
Staying compliant
Track tipped hours and tips so you can show that cash wages plus tips met the full minimum for every shift — the most common tipped-wage claim is exactly that they didn't.
Official sources
More Washington guides
Tipped minimum wage in other states
Washington tipped minimum wage: frequently asked questions
What is the tipped minimum wage in Washington?
Washington doesn't allow a tip credit, so tipped workers must receive the full state minimum wage in cash, with tips on top.
Can my employer pay me $2.13 an hour in Washington?
No — Washington requires the full minimum cash wage for tipped employees.
Track Washington hours the easy way
Kloqk is a free time clock that handles overtime, breaks, and payroll-ready reports.
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