Tipping & Tip Laws in Washington (2026)
Washington requires employers to pay tipped employees the full $17.13/hr state minimum wage — no tip credit. Tipped workers keep 100% of their tips on top. Like the rest of the U.S., Washington follows national tipping norms — tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the 10% combined sales tax.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · independent editorial research project
Tipped Minimum-Wage Law in Washington
Full State Min
$17.13/hr
Tipped Cash Wage
$17.13/hr
Max Tip Credit
$0.00/hr
Tip Credit?
No (full wage)
Standard Tip Percentages in Washington
Restaurants
15–20%
Delivery
15–20%
Rideshare
15–20%
Bars
$1–2/drink
Hotel
$2–5/night
Salon/Spa
15–20%
These percentages are general U.S. etiquette norms. In Washington, tipped workers already earn the full state minimum wage, yet 15–20% remains the customary gratuity because tips supplement take-home pay.
Calculate tips with Washington's tax built in
Our calculators apply the 10% combined Washington rate automatically — your tip stays on the pre-tax subtotal.
Tip Calculator for Washington
Enter your bill — Washington's 10% sales tax is applied automatically and your tip stays on the pre-tax subtotal.
Results
Bill Breakdown
Tip is calculated on the pre-tax amount. Adjust state for accurate tax rates.
Need a specialized tool?
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tacoma have a different minimum wage than Washington state?
No. As of 2026, Tacoma follows the Washington state minimum wage of $17.13/hour (effective January 1, 2026). Tacoma repealed its local minimum-wage ordinance in 2019 because the state rate had risen above it. A handful of Washington cities do set higher local rates — Seattle ($21.30), Tukwila ($21.65), SeaTac ($20.74), Renton, Burien, Everett, and Bellingham ($19.13) — but Tacoma is not one of them. Washington has no tip credit, so tipped workers in Tacoma earn the full $17.13/hour in cash plus their tips. (Source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries; UC Berkeley Labor Center inventory of city and county minimum wage ordinances.)
What is the minimum wage in Vancouver, WA in 2026?
Vancouver follows the Washington state minimum wage: $17.13/hour as of January 1, 2026. Vancouver has not adopted a local minimum-wage ordinance — the Washington cities with higher local rates are Seattle, SeaTac, Tukwila, Renton, Burien, Everett, and Bellingham. Washington prohibits a tip credit, so tipped employees receive the full $17.13/hour regardless of tips, and workers aged 14–15 may be paid 85% of the minimum ($14.56/hour). (Source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries.)
What is the tipped minimum wage in Washington in 2026?
As of July 1, 2026, Washington requires employers to pay tipped employees the full state minimum wage of $17.13/hour in cash before tips. The state does not allow a tip credit, so tipped workers keep 100% of their tips on top of that wage. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor.)
Does Washington allow a tip credit?
Washington is one of seven U.S. states (Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington) that prohibit the tip credit entirely. Employers must pay the full state minimum wage in cash, and tips are additional income the worker keeps.
What is the sales tax rate in Washington for tipping math?
Washington's combined state + local sales tax averages about 10% (state rates). TipFig applies your local rate to the total only — your tip is always calculated on the pre-tax subtotal, so you never tip on the tax.
Other State Tipping Guides
Tipped minimum-wage figures are from the U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026), retrieved 2026-08-09. Minimum wages change; verify with your state labor department before making wage or payroll decisions. Tip percentages are general etiquette guidelines, not legal advice. Sales-tax rates are approximate combined state + local averages.