Skip to content
Oakclause

Minimum Wage in the District of Columbia

The District of Columbia minimum wage is $18.40 per hour from July 1, 2026, the tipped cash wage is $10.30 (56 percent of the minimum), and both rise again on July 1.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

District of Columbia at a glance

Minimum wage (per hour)
$18.40
Adjusted every July 1 for inflation.
Tipped cash wage (per hour)
$10.30
Set at 56 percent of the minimum wage from July 1, 2026; tips must cover the difference.
Next scheduled increase
Inflation adjustment on July 1, 2027
The tipped cash wage rises to 60 percent of the minimum wage on July 1, 2028 and 65 percent on July 1, 2030.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in the District of Columbia

What is the minimum wage in the District of Columbia in 2026?

Minimum wage (per hour) in the District of Columbia: $18.40. Adjusted every July 1 for inflation.

What is the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in the District of Columbia?

Tipped cash wage (per hour) in the District of Columbia: $10.30. Set at 56 percent of the minimum wage from July 1, 2026; tips must cover the difference.

When is the next minimum wage increase in the District of Columbia?

Next scheduled increase in the District of Columbia: Inflation adjustment on July 1, 2027. The tipped cash wage rises to 60 percent of the minimum wage on July 1, 2028 and 65 percent on July 1, 2030.

Where do the the District of Columbia minimum wage laws come from?

The rules above come from D.C. Code 32-1003. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

The 2025 budget support law (D.C. Law 26-55) replaced the earlier tipped wage schedule with the 56 percent step on July 1, 2026, then 60, 65, 70 and 75 percent every two years through 2034.

What this means in practice

Check which rate applies before setting pay. Coverage rules, employer size thresholds, and exemptions for certain jobs or industries differ, and a local ordinance may require more than the state rate. The statute linked on each state page is the starting point.

Where a lower tipped cash wage is allowed, the employer usually must make up the difference whenever tips fall short of the full minimum wage for the pay period. Keeping accurate records of hours worked and tips reported helps show that every pay period met the minimum.

Rates can change on fixed dates, often January 1 or July 1, and some states adjust them each year for inflation. Reviewing pay rates, offer letters, and employment contracts ahead of each scheduled change helps avoid underpayment claims.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.