Washington follows federal FLSA overtime: 1.5× your regular rate for all hours beyond 40 per workweek. There is no daily overtime in Washington. The 2026 state minimum wage is $16.66/hr (one of the highest in the US). Washington has no state income tax — overtime pay is only subject to federal taxes.
Washington Overtime Formula
Weekly Gross = (40 × Hourly Rate) + Overtime Pay
Step-by-Step Washington Overtime Examples
Hourly rate: $21.00/hr
Hours worked: 50 hours
Overtime hours: 50 − 40 = 10 hours
Regular pay: 40 × $21 = $840.00
OT rate: $21 × 1.5 = $31.50/hr
Overtime pay: 10 × $31.50 = $315.00
Hourly rate: $16.66/hr (state minimum wage)
Hours worked: 45 hours
Overtime hours: 45 − 40 = 5 hours
Regular pay: 40 × $16.66 = $666.40
OT rate: $16.66 × 1.5 = $24.99/hr
Overtime pay: 5 × $24.99 = $124.95
🕐 Washington Overtime Calculator — Free & Instant
Enter your clock-in/out times and hourly rate. ClockCalc calculates your WA overtime pay automatically.
Calculate My WA Overtime →Washington Overtime Rules: Key Details
Weekly OT Only — No Daily Threshold
Washington State does not have daily overtime requirements. You only earn overtime when your total hours in a workweek exceed 40 hours. This is the same as the federal FLSA standard and different from California's stricter daily rules.
Washington Minimum Wage 2026
| Location | Minimum Wage 2026 | OT Rate (1.5×) |
|---|---|---|
| Washington State (statewide) | $16.66/hr | $24.99/hr |
| Seattle (large employers 501+) | $19.97/hr | $29.96/hr |
| Seattle (small employers ≤500) | $19.97/hr | $29.96/hr |
| SeaTac (hospitality/transportation) | $20.17/hr | $30.26/hr |
Washington Exempt Salary Threshold 2026
Washington has its own salary threshold for overtime exemption — higher than the federal FLSA minimum. In 2026, salaried employees must earn at least $1,302.40/week ($67,724.80/year) to be potentially exempt from overtime under Washington law. This is nearly double the federal FLSA threshold of $684/week.
Agricultural Workers
Washington State extended overtime protections to agricultural workers. Farmworkers in Washington are entitled to overtime after 40 hours per week — a right that does not exist at the federal level under FLSA for most agricultural workers.
No State Income Tax — A Key Advantage
| Tax | Rate | Applies to OT in WA? |
|---|---|---|
| Washington State Income Tax | 0% | ✅ No state income tax |
| Federal Income Tax | 10%–37% | ⚠️ Yes (may change with Big Beautiful Bill) |
| Social Security (FICA) | 6.2% | ⚠️ Yes |
| Medicare (FICA) | 1.45% | ⚠️ Yes |
Like Texas and Florida, Washington has no state income tax. This means Washington workers keep more of every overtime dollar compared to workers in high-tax states like California or New York.
Washington vs. Other States: Overtime Comparison
| Rule | Washington | California | Colorado |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly OT Threshold | 40 hrs/week | 40 hrs/week | 40 hrs/week |
| Daily OT? | ❌ No | ✅ After 8 hrs/day | ✅ After 12 hrs/day |
| State Income Tax on OT | ✅ None | ⚠️ Up to 13.3% | ⚠️ Flat 4.4% |
| 2026 State Min Wage | $16.66/hr | $16.50/hr | $14.81/hr |
| Exempt Salary Threshold | $1,302/week | $1,320/week | $961/week |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the overtime rate in Washington State?
Washington overtime pay is 1.5× your regular hourly rate for all hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. There is no daily overtime threshold and no double-time requirement under state law.
Does Washington have daily overtime?
No. Washington State only requires overtime after 40 hours per week — there is no daily overtime rule. This is the same as federal FLSA and different from California.
What is the Washington State exempt salary threshold?
In 2026, salaried employees must earn at least $1,302.40 per week ($67,724.80/year) to qualify for the overtime exemption under Washington law — nearly twice the federal FLSA threshold of $684/week.
Are agricultural workers entitled to overtime in Washington?
Yes. Washington extended overtime protections to farmworkers — they earn 1.5× after 40 hours per week. This is a broader protection than federal FLSA, which exempts most agricultural workers from overtime requirements.
How do I calculate overtime in Washington State?
WA OT Pay = (Hours worked − 40) × Hourly rate × 1.5. Or use ClockCalc free — enter your hours and rate for an instant breakdown.
Related: Time and a Half Calculator · California Overtime Calculator · New York Overtime Calculator · Colorado Overtime Calculator · How to Calculate Overtime Pay