District of Columbia Minimum Wage (2026)
Built & reviewed by Nandu Kannan · Overtime rules cited to primary statutes
District of Columbia's minimum wage is $17.95 an hour in 2026. Washington, D.C. has the highest minimum in the country at $17.95 and adjusts it each July 1.
District of Columbia minimum-wage pay calculator
Pre-set to District of Columbia's $17.95 minimum. Change the hours, add overtime, and see weekly, monthly and annual gross pay update instantly.
Gross pay before taxes, at District of Columbia's minimum wage. Overtime at 1.5× the regular rate (federal FLSA); some states add daily overtime — see the state overtime calculator. Not payroll advice.
Tipped minimum wage in District of Columbia
The tipped minimum cash wage in District of Columbia is $10.00 an hour in 2026. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $7.95 an hour against the full $17.95 minimum.
How the tip credit works: the employer pays the cash wage, and your tips count toward the minimum. If your cash wage plus tips don't add up to the full $17.95 for every hour worked, your employer must make up the difference.
D.C.'s tipped cash wage rises on a path to meet the full minimum wage under Initiative 82.
Tipped rates as of January 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor — Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees. Local and industry rules can differ and rates change — verify with your state labor office before relying on these figures.
When will District of Columbia's minimum wage go up?
District of Columbia's minimum wage is scheduled to rise to $18.40 an hour on July 1, 2026. D.C. adjusts its minimum wage for inflation (CPI) every July 1. The confirmed next rate is $18.40 on July 1, 2026; future years are indexed — rate set later.
Want to see the next change in every state? See our 2026–2027 minimum wage increases by state.
Scheduled increases verified as of June 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor and the EPI Minimum Wage Tracker. Future inflation-indexed rates are set by the state later and are not predicted here. Dates and amounts can change — verify with your state labor office before relying on them.
District of Columbia minimum wage vs. the federal minimum
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. District of Columbia's effective minimum is $17.95 — $10.70 above the federal floor. Where state and federal minimums differ, employers must pay whichever is higher.
Minimum-wage pay & overtime
At $17.95 an hour, overtime (1.5×) is $26.92 per hour. 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime. Run your own numbers with the District of Columbia overtime calculator or convert it to a yearly figure with the salary to hourly calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in District of Columbia in 2026?
The minimum wage in District of Columbia is $17.95 per hour as of 2026. Washington, D.C. has the highest minimum in the country at $17.95 and adjusts it each July 1.
How much is District of Columbia's minimum wage per year?
At $17.95 an hour, full-time (40 hours a week, 52 weeks) is about $37,336 a year before taxes, or $718 a week.
Is District of Columbia's minimum wage higher than the federal minimum?
Yes. District of Columbia's $17.95 is above the federal minimum of $7.25. When state and federal minimums differ, employers must pay the higher rate.
What is overtime pay on District of Columbia's minimum wage?
Overtime is 1.5× your regular rate, so a minimum-wage worker at $17.95 earns $26.92 per overtime hour. 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek. No daily overtime.
What is the tipped minimum wage in District of Columbia?
The tipped minimum cash wage in District of Columbia is $10.00 an hour in 2026. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $7.95 an hour, but the cash wage plus tips must still reach the full $17.95 minimum — if it falls short, the employer must make up the difference.
Do tipped workers get full minimum wage in District of Columbia?
Not always in direct cash. District of Columbia lets employers pay a lower cash wage of $10.00 and count tips toward the minimum (a "tip credit"). But your cash wage plus tips must add up to at least the full $17.95 minimum for every hour — if it doesn't, your employer must pay the difference.
When does District of Columbia's minimum wage increase?
District of Columbia's minimum wage is next scheduled to rise to $18.40 an hour on July 1, 2026. After that it is adjusted for inflation each year. D.C. adjusts its minimum wage for inflation (CPI) every July 1. The confirmed next rate is $18.40 on July 1, 2026; future years are indexed — rate set later.
What will District of Columbia's minimum wage be in 2027?
District of Columbia indexes its minimum wage to inflation, so the 2027 rate is set by the state late in 2026 and is expected to be modestly higher than $17.95 — the exact figure is not published yet.
Rate as of January 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor. Cities and counties may set higher local minimums, and rates change — confirm with your state labor office. General information, not legal or payroll advice.
Related
What's a minimum-wage paycheck after taxes in District of Columbia?
Minimum wage by state · District of Columbia overtime · Overtime by state · Salary to Hourly
States with a similar minimum wage
Washington — $17.13 · Connecticut — $16.94 · California — $16.90 · Hawaii — $16.00 · New York — $16.00