Renton minimum wage 2026

What to know about the Renton minimum wage

Renton's minimum wage was written by voters. Initiative 23-02 passed in February 2024 and was certified on February 23, 2024, and the resulting labor standards law, Renton Municipal Code chapter 5-28, took effect on July 1, 2024.⁠¹

The law sorts employers into two groups. Large employers, with more than 500 employees worldwide or part of a franchise network that size, paid $21.57 from January 1, 2026. Mid-size employers, with 15 to 500 employees or more than $2 million a year in Renton revenue, were phased in below them: $20.57 for the first half of 2026 and $21.57 from July 1, 2026. On January 1, 2027 both groups move to $22.28, which the city describes as the final scheduled step of the mid-size phase-in, after which all covered employers pay the same rate.⁠¹ The revenue test means a business with few staff but large sales in Renton is still covered.

Two rules stand out for workers. Tips are paid on top of the wage and cannot count toward it, and the city law allows no subminimum rates for minors under 16, workers with disabilities or state-certified learners. Covered employers must also offer extra hours to qualified part-time staff before hiring new employees or subcontractors.⁠¹ The city's Labor Standards office in Tax and Licensing handles questions and complaints.

All 2026 rates

Two employer groups are covered. Large employers have more than 500 employees worldwide or belong to a franchise network of that size. Mid-size employers have 15 to 500 employees, or more than $2 million in annual gross revenue in Renton. Both pay $21.57 from July 1, 2026; smaller businesses below both thresholds pay the Washington State minimum wage.

Compared with Washington

When a local minimum wage, the state minimum wage and the federal minimum wage differ, the employer must pay the highest one that applies to the work. For most covered work in Renton, that is the local rate.

Tipped employees

Tips are paid on top of the Renton minimum and do not count toward it.

How the rate changes

The rate rises each January 1 with inflation. The mid-size phase-in ends on January 1, 2027, when all covered employers pay the same rate.

The City of Renton has published $22.28 for January 1, 2027 for large and mid-size employers.

Rate history

Who is covered

Employees of large and mid-size employers for work performed within Renton city limits. Businesses with fewer than 15 employees and no more than $2 million in Renton revenue are not covered. The city law does not allow lower rates for minors under 16, workers with disabilities or state-certified learners.

• Renton Municipal Code chapter 5-28 took effect on July 1, 2024, after voters approved the labor standards initiative.
• Covered employers must offer additional hours to qualified part-time employees before hiring new workers or subcontractors, and may not retaliate against workers who use their rights.
• Complaints and questions go to the city's Labor Standards office in Tax and Licensing, at [email protected] or (425) 430-6851; its administrative rules are published in several languages.

Other local rates in Washington

• Burien$21.78
• Tukwila$21.65
• Seattle$21.30
• King County (unincorporated areas)$20.82
• Everett$20.77
• SeaTac (hospitality and transportation only)$20.74
• Bellingham$19.13

Everywhere else in Washington, the state rate applies.

Get help or file a claim

If you are paid less than the minimum wage that applies to your job, you can file a wage claim with the agency below. Federal law prohibits firing or otherwise retaliating against a worker for complaining about federal minimum wage rights.

Sources

1. 1
   City of Renton, Labor Standards Checked Oct 9, 2026 · Back to text ↑
2. 2
   Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, Local minimum wage rates Checked Oct 9, 2026

Is a rate wrong or out of date? Report an error