Washington Registered Nurse Overtime & Pay Rules
Side-by-side statutory audit of Registered Nurse hourly wages, 1.5x overtime thresholds, shift benchmarks ($42.80/hr median), and meal break penalty pay under RCW 49.46.020.
Managing payroll or shift workers in WASHINGTON?
Avoid Department of Labor non-compliance fines. Automate state-specific overtime, double-time rules, tip credits, and statutory tax withholdings with Gusto Payroll Automation.
Washington Registered Nurse Paycheck Calculator
Advanced Tax & Paycheck Deductions (Optional) ▼
Managing payroll or shift workers in WASHINGTON?
Avoid Department of Labor non-compliance fines. Automate state-specific overtime, double-time rules, tip credits, and statutory tax withholdings with Gusto Payroll Automation.
In Washington, a Registered Nurse is entitled to a minimum statutory base wage of $16.28/hr (State industry median: $42.80/hr). Overtime is calculated at 1.5x regular rate after 40 hours per week under RCW 49.46.020.
Visual Pay Composition Breakdown
FLSA Exemption & Overtime Rules for Registered Nurses in Washington
Non-Exempt (Eligible for 1.5x Overtime & Shift Differential Premiums)
Registered Nurses paid on an hourly basis are non-exempt under FLSA regulations and MUST receive 1.5x overtime pay for all hours over 40.
Washington Statutory Wage & Overtime Authority
Statutory Legal Citation: RCW 49.46.020
Washington State has the highest statewide minimum wage in the nation ($16.28/hr). Tip credits are strictly illegal; employers must pay the full direct rate.
Employee Statutory Rights (WA)
- ✓ Highest state minimum wage of $16.28/hr.
- ✓ Prohibition of tip credits; all tips belong entirely to the employee.
- ✓ Mandatory 1 hour paid sick leave for every 40 hours worked under Initiative 1433.
Employer Mandatory Obligations (WA)
- § Pay full $16.28 direct cash minimum wage before tips.
- § Provide 30-minute meal break and 10-minute paid rest breaks.
- § Allow sick leave rollover of up to 40 hours per year.
Washington Statutory Wage & Overtime FAQs
What is the minimum wage in Washington for 2026? ↓
Under statutory citation RCW 49.46.020, the 2026 minimum wage in Washington is $16.28 per hour. Employers paying below this baseline face Department of Labor back-pay audits and statutory interest penalties.
Does Washington mandate daily overtime pay? ↓
Washington follows the standard federal FLSA rule (Title 29 U.S.C. § 207). Overtime is calculated weekly for hours exceeding 40 hours in a 7-day workweek with no daily cap.
Can employers in Washington take a tip credit against wage rates? ↓
Washington strictly prohibits tip credits. Employers must pay tipped staff the full statutory minimum wage of $16.28/hr in direct cash pay before tips.
Common Washington Payroll Compliance Traps & Audit Penalties
Attempting tip credit deductions against Washington minimum wage.
Failing to calculate sick leave accrual on all overtime hours.
Misclassifying computer professionals under strict state salary threshold test.
Managing payroll or shift workers in Washington?
Avoid Department of Labor non-compliance fines. Automate state-specific overtime, double-time rules, tip credits, and statutory tax withholdings with Gusto Payroll Automation.
Audit Washington Registered Nurse Overtime & Pay
Verify 2026 statutory minimum wage floors, 1.5x overtime thresholds, and meal break penalties for Registered Nurses in Washington.