DC Minimum Wage Calculator
2026District of Columbia minimum wage is $17.95/hr (tipped: $8/hr). Convert between hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual pay.
Written and reviewed by Konstantin Iakovlev · Methodology · Updated
District of Columbia Minimum Wage
$17.95/hr
Tipped minimum wage: $8/hr
$10.7 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr
Hourly Rate
$24.04
Monthly Pay
$4,166.67
Annual Salary
$50,000.00
Pay Breakdown
| Hourly | $24.04 |
| Daily (8 hrs) | $192.31 |
| Weekly | $961.54 |
| Biweekly | $1,923.08 |
| Monthly | $4,166.67 |
| Annual | $50,000.00 |
Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.
What's the minimum wage in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia sets its minimum wage above the federal floor of $7.25/hr at $17.95/hr (2026). Employers must pay the higher of the two — federal vs. state — when both apply.
Some local jurisdictions and large employers may pay more than the state minimum: cities like Seattle, San Francisco, New York City, and Washington DC have their own higher wage floors, and many large retailers and fast-food chains have raised internal starting wages to $15–$18/hr regardless of state law. Tipped employees may have a lower direct cash wage as long as tips bring total earnings up to the standard minimum; if not, the employer must make up the difference.
Use the calculator above to convert between hourly, weekly, monthly, and annual figures — useful for budgeting, comparing job offers, or understanding how an hourly raise translates to gross income. For overtime (hours above 40/week), most non-exempt employees earn 1.5× their regular rate; some states (CA, AK, NV, CO) require overtime above 8 hours/day as well.
District of Columbia minimum wage: tipped, youth, and indexing rules
- Tipped wage
- $10.00/hour (rising to match standard by July 2027 under Initiative 82)
- Youth/training wage
- None
- Next scheduled change
- Annual CPI-Washington indexing each July 1 (DC Code §32-1003)
DC's minimum wage of $17.95/hour (effective July 1, 2025) is indexed annually to CPI-Washington each July 1 — one of the highest in the country. Tipped employees earn $10.00/hour as of July 2025, rising annually under Initiative 82 (passed 2022) to match the standard minimum by July 2027. DC has its own overtime rules following federal FLSA standards.
District of Columbia Wage & Rate Details (2026)
| State Minimum Wage | $17.95/hr |
| Tipped Minimum Wage | $8/hr |
| Federal Minimum Wage | $7.25/hr |
| Difference from Federal | +$10.7/hr |
| Weekly Pay (40 hrs) | $718.00 |
| Monthly Pay (est.) | $3111.33 |
| Annual Pay (2,080 hrs) | $37,336.00 |
Minimum wage — frequently asked questions
What is the federal minimum wage in 2026?
The federal minimum wage remains $7.25/hour, unchanged since 2009. The federal tipped-employee minimum is $2.13/hour (employer must make up the difference if tips don't reach $7.25). Many states and cities set higher minimums that supersede the federal floor for workers in those jurisdictions.
Which states have the highest minimum wage in 2026?
2026 leaders: Washington ($17.13/hr), Connecticut ($16.94/hr), California ($16.90/hr), New York ($17.00/hr in NYC + Long Island + Westchester), and Massachusetts ($15.00/hr). Several cities exceed their state minimum — Denver $19.32/hr, Seattle ~$21/hr for large employers, DC $17.95/hr. Most "high-wage" states index annually to inflation.
How is overtime calculated on minimum wage?
Federal FLSA requires time-and-a-half (1.5×) for hours worked over 40 in a week for non-exempt employees. At $7.25/hr regular, overtime is $10.875/hr. Some states (California, Alaska, Nevada, Colorado) also require daily overtime over 8 hours/day. Salaried employees making over the FLSA exemption threshold ($684/wk in 2026) are typically exempt from overtime.
Can my employer pay below minimum wage?
Generally no, but exceptions exist: tipped workers ($2.13/hr cash wage if tips reach minimum), under-20 trainees ($4.25/hr for first 90 days), full-time students in retail/agriculture (85% of minimum with permit), and certain disabled workers (special wage certificates). State laws often eliminate these exceptions — verify locally.
How does minimum wage affect take-home pay?
A 40-hour week at $7.25 federal minimum is $290/wk gross, $15,080/year. After federal income tax (mostly offset by EITC for low earners), FICA 7.65%, and any state tax, take-home is roughly $13,000–$13,500. At $16.90 California minimum: $35,152/year gross, ~$28,000–$30,000 take-home depending on filing status.