Hourly Minimum Wage in District of Columbia

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The state-wide minimum wage for District of Columbia is $17.00 per hour as of January 01, 2023.

View all District of Columbia minimum wage values

Hourly Minimum Wage for District of Columbia and neighboring states in 2023

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District of Columbia minimum wage rate is $17.00 per hour in 2023. Workers receive a higher minimum wage in District of Columbia that exceeds the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25. The District of Columbia minimum wage applies to most employees, with limited exceptions, including certain tipped employees, students or part-time workers, and other exempt occupations. The top 5 minimum wage states in the U.S. are District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour and has not increased since 2009. Demand for a living wage that is fair to workers is rising. In response to this rising demand, numerous states, cities, and other localities have already enacted or will change minimum wage levels. In the few states with no established minimum wage, the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour will continue to apply.
Based on local legislation, many states have already enacted minimum wage increases or approved increases due for implementation at a future date.
These ever-changing laws, effective dates, and methodologies result in minimum wages that may change at different times or differ dramatically within a state or region. Minimum wage changes can be triggered for a location when these pre-determined conditions change and require careful monitoring to ensure compliance to the latest wage levels.
Salary.com continuously tracks all these complex changes. We can help to keep you informed about future changes and stay up to date on the latest minimum wage levels in your essential locations. Show me more data to view U.S. state minimum wages for future years.

Browse Minimum Wage by Year, and Forecast Minimum Wage Increase Trends in District of Columbia

The minimum wages in some states are higher than the federal minimum wage in 2023, including District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and others. Many of the minimum wage increases were effective on July 01, 2023. Some states have effective dates occurring at different months of the year. Check the chart to stay up to date on the hourly minimum wage in District of Columbia.
View upcoming minimum wage changes to be on top of future changes to the minimum wage in your location.
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Hourly Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees in District of Columbia

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The tipped minimum wage is the lowest amount employers can pay an employee in occupations such as a bartender or server, that regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips. In some states, the tipped minimum wage may be lower than the non-tipped minimum wage because employers can claim a tip credit.
It is important to note that the tipped minimum wage can vary depending on where your business is and the size of the business. In some states, the tipped minimum wage is equal to the overall minimum wage for that state. In some locations, the federal tipped minimum wage applies. In other locations, the state-tipped minimum wage is set above the federal minimum. Tipped minimum wages may vary from state to state and can be frequently adjusted, making it essential to stay informed about the latest wage levels.
In District of Columbia, the tipped minimum wage is the same as the state minimum wage. It may be subject to adjustment based on other criteria, such as the size of the business.
See tipped data learn more about tipped and non-tipped minimum wage in District of Columbia.

What is the minimum wage in District of Columbia in 2023?

Washington DC minimum wage in 2021: US$15.2 (effective July 1, 2021)

Washington DC minimum wage in 2020: US$15

Washington DC minimum wage in 2000: US$6.15($9.47 after inflation adjustment)

Washington DC minimum wage in 1980: US$2.50-US$3.50

People's Opinions on Minimum Wage in District of Columbia

The DC Abortion Fund’s Board of Directors is proud to endorse Yes on 77, a ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers across all eight wards in the District of Columbia.

09/22/2021

Under current law, the minimum wage in the District of Columbia will be automatically increased annually to reflect changes in prices as measured by the CPI-U for the Washington MSA.

09/21/2021

District of Columbia minimum wage laws do not address whether an employer may require employees to participate in tip pooling or tip sharing arrangements.

09/20/2021

Since then, 29 states, the District of Columbia and dozens of other cities and counties have set minimum wages above the federal floor.

09/07/2021

The District Of Columbia Minimum Wage is the lowermost hourly rate that any employee in District Of Columbia can expect by law.

08/26/2021

District of Columbia minimum wage laws allow employees to participate in tip pooling arrangements among employees who customarily receive tips.

08/24/2021

District of Columbia minimum wage laws allow employers to pay student employed by institutions of higher education the minimum wage established by the United States Government.

08/23/2021

In a prominent place to inform employees about the minimum wage and their worker's rights under District of Columbia labor law.

08/08/2021

The new hourly minimum wage is applicable to all workers in in the District of Columbia, irrespective of the size of the employer.

07/30/2021

District of Columbia minimum wage laws do not allow employers to pay apprentices a wage rate less than the standard minimum wage.

07/02/2021

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Minimum Wage by State in 2023