Minimum Wage Ordinance 10th Anniversary

Minimum Wage Ordinance Data

Seattle's Minimum Wage Ordinance went into effect on April 1, 2015

April 1, 2025 marks ten years of the Minimum Wage Ordinance setting the minimum wage for employees working within city limits. The minimum wage increases every year on January 1.

Starting January 1, 2025, all employers, regardless of schedule size, were required to pay the same minimum wage of $20.76. Small employers are no longer able to count tip and/or payments toward an employee’s medical benefit plan toward an employee's minimum compensation requirements under Seattle’s Minimum Wage Ordinance.

Legislative History

• In June 2014, the Seattle City Council passed the Seattle Minimum Wage Ordinance, following passage of a similar law in the city of SeaTac. Seattle City government and elected officials acted based on the will of the people, local advocates, and organizations, making Seattle the first major city in the United States to enact a $15 minimum wage, following the “Fight for 15” movement. Click here to learn more about the campaign history and the SeaTac/Seattle Minimum Wage Project. 
• The ordinance was developed by Mayor Ed Murray and his Income Inequality Advisory Committee. Click here to learn more about the history of the Income Inequality Advisory Committee.
• Small employees who did not earn tips and/or receive medical benefits started earning $15 in 2019.
• Large employers who did not pay toward an employee’s medical benefits paid $15 in 2017 and $15 in 2018 if they paid toward an employee’s medical benefits. Click here for the Multi-year Minimum Wage Chart.
• Attempted Amendment: CB 120830 - Small Employer Tip Credit (Withdrawn, 2024)
• Amendment: ORD 12559 - Removal of Subminimum Wage for People with Disabilities (2018)
• Amendment: ORD 125203 - Creation of Independent Office (2016)
• Amendment: ORD 124960 - Harmonization (2015)
• Amendment: ORD 124644 - Creation of Division (2014)
• Original: Ordinance 124490 (2014)

Minimum Wage Ordinance Training tools and Resources

Seattle Office of Labor Standards marks 10th anniversary of wage ordinances - Seattle Channel

Ten-year anniversaries of the Minimum Wage and Wage Theft Ordinances - KOMO morning show

Minimum Wage Ten-Year Anniversary - Se Habla Media/ Jaime Mendez News