Washington employment requirements
- Minimum wage
- $17.13/hour
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay after 40 hours in a week
- Sick leave
- Required for a nanny who doesn't live in: 1 hour per 40 hours worked, with no yearly cap, and up to 40 unused hours carry over
- Worker protections
At-will employment state
- Good to know
- Washington's minimum wage law does not cover a nanny whose job requires living in the home until July 1, 2027.
- From July 1, 2027, Washington's domestic workers law requires a written agreement, two weeks' written notice before dismissal (four weeks for a live-in nanny) or pay for the notice period, with exceptions such as an agreed probationary period or misconduct, and overtime after 40 hours in a week.
- In Seattle, the Domestic Workers Ordinance gives a nanny Seattle's minimum wage, a 30-minute meal break after 5 hours, and a paid 10-minute rest break every 4 hours.
- Washington has no state income tax on wages before 2028, when a tax on income over $1 million begins.
Frequently asked questions
How much sick leave do I need to provide in Washington?
Washington requires paid sick leave for a nanny who doesn't live in, at 1 hour per 40 hours worked with no yearly cap, and up to 40 unused hours carry over. Your contract has been pre-filled from your nanny's weekly hours, and you can always offer more.
What is the minimum wage in Washington?
The current statewide minimum wage in Washington is $17.13/hour. Your nanny's pay rate must be at or above this amount. Some cities and counties set a higher one, and the contract builder checks the ones it knows when you choose where the work is done.