PFML status
Active PFML program
Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave
2026Active PFML programWashington Paid Leave
$1,647/week · 12 family weeks · 0.81% employee premium· Paid sick leave mandate.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Washington paid leave snapshot
WA PFML with a $1,647 weekly maximum (2026) and shared premiums totaling 1.13%. Weekly-max rank #2 (#1 = highest among all jurisdictions); family-weeks rank #1.
Max weekly
$1,647
Min $0
Family weeks
12
Combined cap 16
Employee premium
0.81%
Shared employee / employer
Paid sick leave
Paid sick leave
Statewide paid sick leave.
Compare Washington with another state
Compare any two states
PFML weekly max, weeks, premiums, and paid sick leave mandates.
Washington PFML program details
- Program
- Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave
- Wage replacement
- 9%
- Medical weeks
- 12
- Combined weeks max
- 16
- Premium payer
- Shared employee / employer
- Benefits timing
- Mature PFML program; benefits available.
- Wage base / premium note
- 2026 total premium 1.13% up to the Social Security wage base; employees pay ~71.43%.
Up to 12 weeks typically; combined family + medical can reach 16 weeks in some cases.
Example employee PFML premium
On $80,000 annual wages, a 0.81% employee rate models about $646 per year before wage-base caps and employer-size exemptions. 2026 total premium 1.13% up to the Social Security wage base; employees pay ~71.43%.
Key takeaways — Washington paid leave
- Washington PFML status: Active PFML program (Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave).
- Modeled weekly maximum $1,647 with about 12 family/bonding weeks and up to 12 medical weeks.
- Employee premium ~0.81% (~$646/year on $80,000 before wage-base caps).
- Paid sick leave mandate. Statewide paid sick leave.
- Ranks #2 on weekly max and #1 on family weeks among 51 jurisdictions (#1 = highest).
- Mature PFML program; benefits available.
- 1 other active PFML program list a higher weekly maximum than Washington in this table.
Washington vs neighboring states
PFML status, weekly maxima, family weeks, and sick-leave mandates for states that share a border with Washington.
IdahoWashington PFML at the weekly maximum
Illustrative totals if every week paid the modeled maximum. Most claimants receive less; waiting periods and offsets can reduce cash paid.
4 weeks at weekly max
$6,588
$1,647 × 4 wks
8 weeks at weekly max
$13,176
$1,647 × 8 wks
12 weeks at weekly max
$19,764
$1,647 × 12 wks
How to read this page
Washington paid leave overview (2026)
WA PFML with a $1,647 weekly maximum (2026) and shared premiums totaling 1.13%.
Workers meeting Washington program rules can claim partial wage replacement up to about $1,647 per week for qualifying family leave (roughly 9% replacement before caps). Up to 12 weeks typically; combined family + medical can reach 16 weeks in some cases.
Paid sick leave is tracked separately: Statewide paid sick leave.
Premiums and benefits in Washington
Modeled payroll shares: employee 0.81%, employer 0.32%. 2026 total premium 1.13% up to the Social Security wage base; employees pay ~71.43%.
At the weekly maximum for 12 weeks, a full family-leave claim could approach $19,764 before taxes and offsets—only if you qualify for the maximum for every week.
Job protection is not guaranteed by a cash benefit alone. Confirm whether FMLA, a state family-leave statute, or PFML restoration rules apply to your employer size and tenure.
Planning leave while working in Washington
Map the reason for leave (bonding, family care, own serious health condition, safe leave) to the right program—PFML, disability, sick leave, or unpaid FMLA.
Ask payroll whether PFML premiums already appear on your pay stub and whether the employer uses a private plan.
If you live near a border, compare Washington with Oregon, Idaho—PFML and sick-leave rules can change by work location.
Who this Washington paid leave page helps
Useful if…
- •Employees in Washington estimating bonding or caregiving wage replacement.
- •Managers budgeting backfill while someone is on PFML or sick leave.
- •Candidates weighing a Washington offer against a neighboring state’s leave laws.
- •Workers checking whether a sick-leave mandate applies even without PFML.
Use official tools if…
- •You need an approved claim, private-plan exemption, or exact waiting period.
- •Your hours or employer size fall below statutory thresholds.
- •A city ordinance (not just statewide rules) governs your worksite.
- •You are self-employed and need opt-in PFML rules rather than employee coverage.
Washington paid leave checklist
Quick steps before treating rankings as a claim or relocation decision.
- 1Confirm Washington PFML status (Active PFML program) and benefit start timing.
- 2Estimate weekly pay using ~9% replacement capped at $1,647.
- 3Review sick/any-reason leave accrual: Paid sick leave mandate.
- 4Check pay stubs for PFML/SDI-style deductions and annual wage-base caps.
- 5Document FMLA eligibility separately if you need job protection.
- 6Compare Washington with a peer state before relocating for leave benefits alone.
Related states for paid leave
OregonActive PFML program · $1,636/wk · 12 wks
Compare Washington vs Oregon →
MinnesotaActive PFML program · $1,423/wk · 12 wks
Compare Washington vs Minnesota →
ColoradoActive PFML program · $1,381/wk · 12 wks
Compare Washington vs Colorado →
MassachusettsActive PFML program · $1,230/wk · 12 wks
Compare Washington vs Massachusetts →Washington paid leave FAQs
Active PFML program. Program: Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave. Mature PFML program; benefits available.
This guide models $1,647/week (minimum $0 where published) at roughly 9% wage replacement before caps.
About 12 family/bonding weeks in a benefit year, with up to 12 medical weeks where the program covers own serious health conditions (combined caps near 16 weeks).
About 0.81% of covered wages ($646/year on a $80,000 example before wage-base caps). 2026 total premium 1.13% up to the Social Security wage base; employees pay ~71.43%.
Paid sick leave mandate. Statewide paid sick leave.
No. FMLA is unpaid. Washington PFML benefits may replace a portion of wages during qualifying leave when you meet program rules.
Weekly-max rank #2 and family-weeks rank #1 in this 51-jurisdiction table (#1 = highest weeks/benefit). Employee-premium rank #12 (#1 = lower employee rate among programs).
Use the state labor/PFML agency for claims, premiums, and notices. This page is an educational comparison using 2026 chart values updated 2026-07-31.
At the modeled weekly maximum, 12 weeks would total about $19,764 before taxes and offsets. Most claimants earn less than the maximum.
Usually only for short absences tied to illness, appointments, or safe leave—not full bonding leave. Statewide paid sick leave. Use PFML (where active) or unpaid FMLA for multi-week bonding.
Nearby combined snapshots: Oregon (Active PFML program, $1,636/wk); Idaho (No statewide PFML). Open a compare page for side-by-side premiums and weeks.
Often yes under FMLA or state restoration rules if you remain eligible, but you may still owe your share of premiums. PFML cash benefits do not automatically equal benefit continuation—confirm with HR.
Not legal advice. Agency rules control claims, premiums, and job protection.