Dealing With Unpaid Wages in Washington
My employer hasn't paid me — here's what Washington law says and what to do next.
Statute: Wash. Rev. Code § 49.48.010
Deadline: 7 days
Penalty: Employer may be liable for double the amount of unpaid wages, plus interest, reasonable attorney fees, and costs
What is dealing with unpaid wages?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Your employer must pay you at least this amount for every hour you work. Many states and cities have higher minimum wages — you're entitled to whichever is higher.
Tipped employees have a lower federal minimum ($2.13/hr), but your tips plus wages must equal at least $7.25/hr. If they don't, your employer must make up the difference.
What to Do If Your Employer Pays Below Minimum Wage
Step 1: Know your rate. Check your state and city minimum wage — it's often higher than the $7.25 federal rate.
Step 2: Calculate your actual hourly pay. Divide your total weekly pay by total hours worked. If it's below the minimum, you have a claim.
Step 3: Document everything. Save pay stubs, schedules, and any records of hours worked.
Step 4: File a complaint. Contact the DOL Wage and Hour Division or your state's labor department. Many employment attorneys handle wage cases on contingency.
How Washington differs from federal law
Washington has one of the highest minimum wages in the nation:
- 2024: $16.28/hr (standard) — adjusted annually based on CPI
- Washington does not allow a tip credit — employers must pay the full minimum wage regardless of tips
- 14-15 year olds: $13.84/hr (85% of the standard rate)
- Seattle, SeaTac, and other cities have higher local minimum wages (Seattle: $19.97/hr for large employers in 2024)
- Washington's minimum wage increases every January 1 based on the CPI-W
- There is no training wage or subminimum wage for most workers in Washington
Additional steps in Washington
File minimum wage complaints with Washington L&I at (866) 219-7321 or online at lni.wa.gov. For Seattle, contact the Seattle Office of Labor Standards at (206) 256-5297 or seattle.gov/laborstandards.
What you should NOT do
Don't accept illegal deductions. Your employer cannot deduct for cash register shortages, breakage, or uniforms if it would bring your pay below minimum wage.
Don't ignore tip credit violations. If you're a tipped employee and your tips + base pay don't reach $7.25/hr, your employer must pay the difference.
Don't sign away your rights. Any agreement to work for less than minimum wage is unenforceable under federal law.
Don't wait — the clock is ticking.
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Generate your unpaid wages →This page is general legal information for Washington, not legal advice for your specific situation. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on facts we don't know. For advice on your matter, consult a licensed attorney in Washington.