The minimum wage in Tacoma is $16.66/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $21.50/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 Tacoma.
The minimum wage in Tacoma is the Washington statewide minimum of $16.66/hour. The Washington statewide minimum wage applies to most employers in Tacoma; 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 Tacoma. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,500/month and a cost-of-living index of 105 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Tacoma, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $16.66 | $34,653 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $21.50 | $44,720 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $43.50 | $90,480 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $18,000 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Pierce County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Tacoma.
Tacoma anchors the South Sound with the Port of Tacoma (one of the largest container ports on the West Coast), manufacturing and logistics, healthcare, higher education, and a growing arts and museum district, within commuting distance of both Seattle and Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
| Local Metric | Tacoma (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 220,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Pierce County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 105 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $21.50/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $43.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $16.66/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,500/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,950/month |
| Median home price | $470,000 |
| Median household income | $78,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 10.4% |
| Effective property tax rate | 1.05% 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 Tacoma is the Washington statewide minimum of $16.66/hour. The Washington statewide minimum wage applies to most employers in Tacoma; 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 Pierce County needs about $21.50/hour (roughly $44,720/year) to cover basic costs. That is $4.84/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $43.50/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 Tacoma is about $1,500/month, or $18,000/year.
The Washington statewide minimum wage applies to most employers in Tacoma; 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 Tacoma.