Minimum wage in District of Columbia
District of Columbia's minimum wage is $18.40 an hour, $11.15 above the federal minimum. Full-time, that works out to $38,272 a year before taxes.
Last verified November 2, 2026. Sources: dol.gov.
$18.40Minimum wage per hour
$10.30Tipped cash wage
$27.60Overtime rate (1.5×)
—No change scheduled
Who gets which rate
Adjusted every July 1 by CPI (was $17.95 Jan-Jun 2026). July 1, 2027 adjustment pending. Initiative 82 tipped-wage phase-out paused/slowed by DC Council (2025).
What the minimum wage pays in District of Columbia
| Period | Before taxes | After taxes (estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Hour | $18.40 | $15.29 |
| Week (40 hours) | $736 | $612 |
| Month | $3,189 | $2,650 |
| Year (2,080 hours) | $38,272 | $31,801 |
After-tax figures assume a single filer with the standard deduction, tax year 2026. Run your own numbers.
Overtime
Non-exempt workers earn at least 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek, which is $27.60 an hour at the District of Columbia minimum.
How District of Columbia compares with its neighbors
| State | Minimum wage | Next change |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $18.40 | — |
| Maryland | $15.00 | — |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $13.75 on January 1, 2027 |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the minimum wage in District of Columbia?
- The District of Columbia minimum wage is $18.40 an hour as of November 3, 2026.
- Is District of Columbia's minimum wage going up?
- No increase is scheduled right now. Wagevane checks for announcements and updates this page automatically.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in District of Columbia?
- Employers can pay tipped workers a cash wage of $10.30 as long as tips bring total pay to at least $18.40 an hour.
- How much is minimum wage a year in District of Columbia?
- About $38,272 before taxes for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, or roughly $31,801 after federal and state taxes.