Calculate your overtime pay in Seattle based on your hourly rate and hours worked, using the federal FLSA 40-hour rule for 2026.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Applicable minimum wage in Seattle: $20.29/hour
Washington follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the state Minimum Wage Act, both of which require 1.5x the regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. Washington has no daily overtime requirement.
| Rule | Seattle (WA) Requirement |
|---|---|
| Weekly overtime threshold | 40 hours/week (1.5x) |
| Daily overtime | Not required (no daily overtime in Washington) |
| Double time | Not required under state or federal law |
| Seventh consecutive day | No special rule |
| Applicable minimum wage | $20.29/hour |
| Federal overtime rate | 1.5x regular rate (FLSA) |
Your overtime rate is based on your regular rate of pay, which includes hourly wages and most non-discretionary bonuses. For example, at $20.29/hour a standard 1.5x overtime hour pays $30.43.
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.
In Seattle, Washington follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the state Minimum Wage Act, both of which require 1.5x the regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek. Washington has no daily overtime requirement. Overtime is based on your regular rate of pay, which includes most non-discretionary bonuses, not just your base hourly wage.
The applicable minimum wage in Seattle is $20.29/hour. Seattle sets its own local minimum wage well above the Washington statewide rate and adjusts it each January for inflation. Overtime must be at least 1.5x your regular rate, and if your rate is higher than the minimum, overtime is figured on your actual rate.
No. Washington has no daily overtime law, so workers in Seattle earn overtime only after 40 hours in a workweek under the federal FLSA and the Washington Minimum Wage Act, regardless of how many hours they work in a single day.
Salaried executive, administrative, and professional employees who earn above the FLSA salary threshold ($684/week) and meet the duties tests are generally exempt, as are most independent contractors. Washington applies its own higher salary threshold for the executive, administrative, and professional exemptions, so some workers who are exempt under federal law still earn overtime in Seattle. Check with an employment attorney for your situation.
Overtime is taxed as ordinary wages. New for 2026, the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act lets eligible non-exempt workers deduct up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers) of overtime pay from federal taxable income. Washington has no state income tax on wages, so only the federal overtime rules apply. Consult a tax professional to confirm eligibility.