The minimum wage in Bellevue is $16.66/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $27.00/hour and local cost of living.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Bellevue.
The minimum wage in Bellevue is the Washington statewide minimum of $16.66/hour. Bellevue does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Washington statewide minimum applies; Washington indexes its rate to inflation each January and it is among the highest state minimums in the nation. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Bellevue. With average 1-bedroom rent near $2,500/month and a cost-of-living index of 162 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Bellevue, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $16.66 | $34,653 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $27.00 | $56,160 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $52.00 | $108,160 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $30,000 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for King County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Bellevue.
Bellevue is the largest city on the east side of Lake Washington and a major technology hub in its own right, home to expanding Amazon offices, Microsoft operations nearby, T-Mobile's headquarters, and some of the highest household incomes and home prices in the state.
| Local Metric | Bellevue (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 150,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | King County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 162 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $27.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $52.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $16.66/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,500/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $3,200/month |
| Median home price | $1,300,000 |
| Median household income | $145,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 10.3% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.85% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
The minimum wage in Bellevue is the Washington statewide minimum of $16.66/hour. Bellevue does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Washington statewide minimum applies; Washington indexes its rate to inflation each January and it is among the highest state minimums in the nation. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $34,653 per year gross before taxes at that rate.
Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in King County needs about $27.00/hour (roughly $56,160/year) to cover basic costs. That is $10.34/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $52.00/hour.
At $16.66/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $34,653 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $25,990/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Bellevue is about $2,500/month, or $30,000/year.
Bellevue does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Washington statewide minimum applies; Washington indexes its rate to inflation each January and it is among the highest state minimums in the nation.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Washington sets one of the highest state minimum wages in the country and adjusts it each January for inflation; Seattle and some other cities set even higher local minimums, so the applicable rate applies in Bellevue.