The minimum wage in Seattle is $20.29/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 Seattle.
The minimum wage in Seattle is the City of Seattle minimum of $20.29/hour. Seattle sets its own local minimum wage well above the Washington statewide rate and adjusts it each January for inflation. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Seattle. With average 1-bedroom rent near $2,200/month and a cost-of-living index of 151 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Seattle, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $20.29 | $42,203 |
| 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) | - | $26,400 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for King County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Seattle.
Seattle is the largest city in the Pacific Northwest, home to Amazon and Microsoft (nearby), a major cloud-computing and technology cluster, aerospace ties to Boeing, the Port of Seattle, global health philanthropy, and a strong coffee and retail heritage.
| Local Metric | Seattle (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 750,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | King County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 151 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $27.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $52.00/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $20.29/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $2,200/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,900/month |
| Median home price | $850,000 |
| Median household income | $116,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 10.35% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.92% 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 Seattle is the City of Seattle minimum of $20.29/hour. Seattle sets its own local minimum wage well above the Washington statewide rate and adjusts it each January for inflation. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $42,203 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 $6.71/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $52.00/hour.
At $20.29/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $42,203 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $31,652/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Seattle is about $2,200/month, or $26,400/year.
Seattle sets its own local minimum wage well above the Washington statewide rate and adjusts it each January for inflation.
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 Seattle.