20 hrs/week
District of Columbia minimum wage 20 hours
$368/wk
$19,136/year gross
Effective July 1, 2026 · Updated 2026-07-08
District of Columbia Minimum Wage 2026
$18.40/hour
Current District of Columbia hourly minimum, tipped rates, city ordinances, scheduled increases, and official sources — for HR, payroll, and workers.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
$18.40State minimum
$38,272FT annual gross
+$11.15Above federal
—No scheduled raise
Pay at 20, 30 & 40 hours/week
Gross at $18.40/hour before taxes. Use the hourly salary calculator and US tax calculator for take-home estimates.
30 hrs/week
District of Columbia minimum wage 30 hours
$552/wk
$28,704/year gross
40 hrs/week
District of Columbia minimum wage 40 hours
$736/wk
$38,272/year gross
Annual calculation
$18.40 × 40 hrs × 52 wks = $38,272 gross/year
Overtime at 1.5× minimum is $27.60/hr. Estimate take-home with our hourly to salary calculator.
Compare District of Columbia minimum wage
See who has the higher floor — and why — versus other states.
District of Columbia minimum wage history (2020–2026)
January 1 rates from official U.S. Department of Labor sources — up $3.40/hr (+22.7%) since 2020.
| Year | Jan 1 rate | YoY |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $18.40/hr | +$0.90 |
| 2025 | $17.50/hr | Flat |
| 2024 | $17.50/hr | +$1.00 |
| 2023 | $16.50/hr | +$0.40 |
| 2022 | $16.10/hr | +$0.90 |
| 2021 | $15.20/hr | +$0.20 |
| 2020 | $15.00/hr | — |
Sources: DOL WHD historical table · DOL via FRED (Jan 1 series). Rates are as of January 1 each year.
Tipped employees
Cash wage and tip credit rules for District of Columbia.
Tipped minimum wage$10.30/hr
Tip credit$8.10/hr
Standard minimum$18.40/hr
Tips must bring total compensation to at least $18.40/hr or the employer makes up the difference.
How District of Columbia's minimum wage is determined
Legislative authority
District of Columbia's minimum wage is set by state law — typically by the legislature or ballot measure — and enforced by the state labor agency. Federal FLSA sets a $7.25 floor; states may not go lower for covered employees.
No automatic indexing
District of Columbia requires new legislation (or a ballot measure) for each increase, so real wages can lag inflation until lawmakers act. CPI-indexed each July 1. Highest statewide minimum wage in the U.S. Tipped base wage set at 56% of standard minimum per D.C. council ordinance.
How rates are set in practice
- Proposed legislation or ballot petition to raise the wage.
- Committee review with testimony from employers, workers, and economists.
- Floor vote (and governor signature or voter approval where required).
- Effective date — often January 1 or July 1, sometimes phased over years.
The federal minimum has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009. That freeze is why states like District of Columbia set their own floors.
Frequently asked questions
The District of Columbia minimum wage is $18.40 per hour in 2026, effective July 1, 2026. Full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks) equals about $38,272/year before taxes.
No. District of Columbia sets a higher state minimum of $18.40/hour. Employers must pay whichever rate is highest among federal, state, and applicable local laws.
At $18.40/hour working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, an employee earns $38,272 gross per year before federal income tax, state taxes (if any), Social Security, and Medicare (FICA). Actual take-home depends on tax filing status and deductions.
The most recent increase was to $18.40/hour on July 1, 2026. No increase is currently scheduled.
The tipped cash wage in District of Columbia is $10.30/hour with a tip credit of up to $8.10. Total compensation including tips must equal at least $18.40/hour.
At $18.40/hour for 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year (2,080 hours), gross annual pay is $38,272 before federal, state, and FICA taxes.
On January 1 2020, the applicable District of Columbia minimum wage was $15.00/hour. By January 1 2026 it was $18.40/hour — a change of +$3.40/hour (+22.7%). Rates are official U.S. DOL figures (WHD history table and DOL via FRED).
In District of Columbia, tipped employees earn $10.30/hour minimum cash wage (as of July 1, 2026). Employers can use a tip credit of up to $8.10; total pay including tips must meet the standard minimum of $18.40/hour.
District of Columbia does not automatically index its minimum wage to inflation, meaning the real purchasing power declines each year unless lawmakers vote to raise it.
At $18.40/hour in District of Columbia: 20 hrs/week ≈ $368/week ($19,136/year); 30 hrs/week ≈ $552/week ($28,704/year); 40 hrs/week ≈ $736/week ($38,272/year). Gross before taxes.
Some workers may be exempt depending on job duties, employer size, or industry. Exempt categories typically include outside salespeople, certain agricultural workers, and some domestic workers. Always verify whether a specific position qualifies for exemption with your state labor department or a lawyer.
Contact your state's Department of Labor or equivalent wage and hour enforcement agency. Many allow online complaint forms. The U.S. Department of Labor also accepts complaints: visit www.dol.gov or call 1-866-4-USDOL. Retaliation against workers who report violations is illegal.
The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates that a single adult needs $24.00-$30.00/hour (varies by state) to afford housing, food, childcare, healthcare, and transportation without government assistance. District of Columbia's minimum wage of $18.40 is typically below this threshold, which is why many minimum wage workers receive SNAP, Medicaid, or housing assistance.
More ways to use these rates
- All states minimum wage table — compare every jurisdiction side by side
- Minimum Wage Comparisons — State vs state — who has the higher floor and why.
- City Minimum Wage Profiles — Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, and more local floors.
- Hourly Salary Calculator — Convert $/hr to weekly, monthly, and annual pay.
- US Tax Calculator — Estimate take-home from minimum wage in your state.
- US Overtime Calculator — See OT pay when weekly hours exceed 40.
- FICA Calculator — Social Security + Medicare on every paycheck.
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