District of Columbia Minimum Wage 2026: $18.40 an Hour, Take-Home Pay
The District of Columbia minimum wage is $18.40 an hour since July 1, 2026 (source). The 2027 rate is set by formula and has not been announced yet: CPI (Washington metro) adjustment effective July 1, 2027, announced by DC DOES in spring 2027; no January change (source). Full time, that is $38,272 a year before tax and $31,734 after 2026 federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and District of Columbia income tax for a single filer.
Rates checked against official sources on November 4, 2026
District of Columbia minimum wage by year
| Effective | Hourly rate | Source |
|---|---|---|
| in force on January 1, 2024 | $17.00 | source |
| July 1, 2024 | $17.50 | source |
| July 1, 2025 | $17.95 | source |
| July 1, 2026 | $18.40 | source |
Tipped workers: a cash wage of at least $10.30 an hour, with tips making up the rest of the minimum (a tip credit of up to $8.10). From 2026-07-01 (was $10.00); employer makes up any shortfall to $18.40 (source).
Rate changes every July 1 by CPI and applies to all employers regardless of size; the Living Wage is also $18.40 from 2026-07-01.
Take-home pay on the District of Columbia minimum wage
| Pay before tax, a year | $38,272 |
| Federal income tax | $2,413 |
| Social Security and Medicare (7.65%) | $2,928 |
| District of Columbia income tax | $1,197 |
| Take-home pay, a year | $31,734 |
| … a month | $2,645 |
| … an hour | $15.26 |
Your pay at $18.40 an hour, after tax
Tax figures: QuantCalc’s tax engine (federal 2.6.0, state 1.26.0), 2026 tax year, a single filer aged 30 with wages from one job, no dependents and the standard deduction. Local income taxes are not taken off, except the county income tax in Indiana and Maryland, which the state engine adds at a typical county rate; state payroll taxes (disability or paid-leave insurance) are not taken off either. Not tax or legal advice: an employer’s size, industry or location can set a different minimum, so check with the state labor department. How each tax line is computed, with its source: federal, state.
Overtime and salaried workers
Hours over 40 in a workweek are paid at one and a half times the regular rate under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (U.S. Department of Labor); for 2026 the federal return deducts the premium half of that pay (no tax on overtime calculator).
Federal law: an exempt executive, administrative or professional employee must be paid at least $684 a week ($35,568 a year) on a salary basis (U.S. Department of Labor).
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in District of Columbia in 2026?
- The District of Columbia minimum wage is $18.40 an hour since July 1, 2026 (source).
- Will the District of Columbia minimum wage go up in 2027?
- The 2027 rate has not been announced yet. CPI (Washington metro) adjustment effective July 1, 2027, announced by DC DOES in spring 2027; no January change (source).
- How much is the District of Columbia minimum wage a year?
- At $18.40 an hour for 40 hours a week and 52 weeks, $38,272 before tax. After 2026 federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and District of Columbia income tax, a single filer keeps $31,734, $2,645 a month.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in District of Columbia?
- $10.30 an hour in cash, as long as tips bring the total to at least the minimum wage; otherwise the employer makes up the difference (source).