Washington, D.C. minimum wage update

Effective July 1, 2021, the minimum wage rate in Washington, D.C. will increase from $15.00 per hour to $15.20 per hour for all workers (regardless of employer size). The minimum base wage for tipped employees will increase from $5.00 per hour to $5.05 per hour.

2021 is the first year that Washington, D.C.’s minimum wage and minimum base wage for tipped employees is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Both wage rates will continue to increase annually in proportion to increases in the CPI.

For more information, please see the District of Columbia Minimum Wage Poster (including exceptions to the minimum wage) and also the D.C. Department of Employment Services Wage and Hour Public Notice.

By Megan Butz
General Counsel, HR Compliance, Checkwriters
Megan joined Checkwriters in 2020 and is responsible for reviewing, revising, and implementing internal policies of the company, advising on human resource, employment, and labor matters, and monitoring and publishing state and federal legal updates to the Checkwriters News and Compliance Center for distribution to thousands of clients around the country. Before joining Checkwriters, Megan served as a judicial law clerk for the justices of the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court performing legal research and writing, followed by private practice in Cape Cod.

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