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Kirkland, Washington · OFFICIAL SOURCES & THRESHOLDS

Kirkland, Washington
Tipped wage.

Check official requirements, employee thresholds, effective dates, and employer responsibilities for tipped wage.

Notice: General informational guidance, not legal advice. Read the full legal disclaimer. Federal, state, and municipal regulations operate concurrently.
Part of Washington Employment Compliance

Municipal ordinances operate concurrently with state and federal labor laws.

Washington Tipped wage → All Washington Rules →

Separate Kirkland rules

No separate Kirkland rule is published yet for tipped wage. The state rule shown below applies unless a different local requirement is verified and published. Do not treat the state figure as a Kirkland figure.

Applicable state and federal rules

These are state or federal requirements that may also apply within Kirkland. Each entry remains labeled with its own jurisdiction and source.

Tipped wage · WashingtonChanged recently

Washington tipped wage

No tip credit - full state minimum wage; all tips paid to employees

Tips do not count toward the Washington minimum wage. Employers must pay tipped employees the full state minimum wage and pay all tips to the employees.

Employee threshold: 0+ employees in Washington · All industries
Effective
Jan 1, 2000

Local notes & what to do

Washington has the highest state minimum wage in the country ($17.13 in 2026) and allows no tip credit. Its exempt salary threshold is also the nation's highest - $80,168.40 in 2026, set at 2.25 times the minimum wage at every employer size and scheduled to reach 2.5 times in 2028. Paid family and medical leave premiums rose to 1.13% of wages in 2026, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,647. Several Puget Sound cities set wages well above the state rate.

Official source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries - Your Rights as a Worker (poster F700-074-000) Last checked Nov 1, 2026
No expert reviewer assigned to this entry. General information, not legal advice.

Thresholds, dates & upcoming changes

Jurisdiction / rule Requirement Employees / industry Effective / status Official source / last checked
Washington
Washington tipped wage 		No tip credit - full state minimum wage; all tips paid to employees 0–any employees
All industries 		Jan 1, 2000
Current 		Washington State Department of Labor & Industries - Your Rights as a Worker (poster F700-074-000)
Checked Nov 1, 2026
THE DATED RECORD

What changed in Kirkland, Washington?

Washington · Tipped wage

Rule name changed from not previously published to Washington tipped wage. Summary changed from not previously published to Tips do not count toward the Washington minimum wage. Employers must pay tipped employees the full state minimum wage and pay all tips to the employees.. Requirement changed from not previously published to No tip credit - full state minimum wage; all tips paid to employees. Numeric amount changed from not previously published to not published. Minimum employer size changed from not previously published to 0 employees. Effective date changed from not previously published to Jan 1, 2000. Publication status changed from not previously published to active. Local guidance changed from not previously published to Washington has the highest state minimum wage in the country ($17.13 in 2026) and allows no tip credit. Its exempt salary threshold is also the nation's highest - $80,168.40 in 2026, set at 2.25 times the minimum wage at every employer size and scheduled to reach 2.5 times in 2028. Paid family and medical leave premiums rose to 1.13% of wages in 2026, with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,647. Several Puget Sound cities set wages well above the state rate.. Industry coverage changed from not previously published to not published.

Source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries - Your Rights as a Worker (poster F700-074-000) · Effective Jan 1, 2000 · Last checked Nov 1, 2026 · View current requirement →
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Questions employers ask about Tipped wage in Kirkland, Washington

What is the Washington tipped wage requirement for 0+ employees?

No tip credit - full state minimum wage; all tips paid to employees. Tips do not count toward the Washington minimum wage. Employers must pay tipped employees the full state minimum wage and pay all tips to the employees.

When did Washington tipped wage take effect?

Effective January 1, 2000. Source: Washington State Department of Labor & Industries - Your Rights as a Worker (poster F700-074-000). Last checked November 1, 2026.

Who must follow Washington tipped wage?

Employers with 0 or more employees in Washington across all industries.

What is the penalty for violating Washington tipped wage?

No penalty information has been published in this entry. Consult the official source.

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