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Highlights:
The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (WDOL) has announced an increase to the state’s white collar overtime exemption salary threshold.
Impacted Employers: All Washington State employers
Effective Date: Jan. 1, 2026
Summary: The Washington Department of Labor & Industries (WDOL) has announced an increase to the state’s white collar overtime exemption salary threshold.
Next Steps: As of Jan. 1, 2026, Washington state employers must pay white collar workers and computer professionals paid hourly at least the amounts noted above or pay the employees overtime pay for any hours worked over 40 in a week.
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The Details:
Effective Jan. 1, 2026, the Washington state white collar overtime exemption salary threshold will be $1,541.70 per week or $80,168.40 per year. This equates to 2.25 the 2026 state minimum wage of $17.13 per hour.
The WDOL also announced that in order to qualify for the overtime exemption, computer professionals employed by businesses (regardless of size), must earn a salary of at least 3.5 times the minimum wage (at least $59.96 per hour in 2026).