District of Columbia Salaried Exempt Thresholds & FLSA Duty Tests
Minimum annual salary requirement of $35,568/yr ($684/wk), FLSA 29 C.F.R. § 541 duty tests, and misclassification rules under D.C. Code § 32-1003.
Interactive District of Columbia Salary Exemption Audit Tool
Instant 30-second check: Are you legally entitled to 1.5x overtime?
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If your salary is under $35,568, your employer may owe you back overtime pay.
Federal FLSA vs District of Columbia Exemption Matrix (2026)
Where state law grants greater protection or higher salary thresholds than federal standards, state law supersedes federal FLSA regulations under 29 U.S.C. § 218(a).
| Compliance Standard | Federal FLSA Floor | District of Columbia Statutory Mandate |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Minimum Salary | $43,888 / yr | $35,568 / yr |
| Weekly Minimum Salary | $844 / wk | $684 / wk |
| Primary Duties Test | 29 C.F.R. § 541 (Exec/Admin/Prof) | D.C. Code § 32-1003 Duties Rule |
| Overtime Rate if Below Threshold | 1.5x Regular Rate | 1.5x Regular Rate |
The Mandatory Two-Part Exemption Test in District of Columbia
Paying an employee a fixed salary does NOT automatically disqualify them from overtime pay. In District of Columbia, an employer MUST satisfy both statutory prongs under 29 C.F.R. § 541 and D.C. Code § 32-1003:
Salary Threshold Test
Employee must earn at least $35,568 annually ($684/wk) on a true, non-deductible salary basis.
Primary Duties Test
Actual daily work must consist primarily of executive leadership, administrative judgment, or specialized professional knowledge (not routine labor).
FLSA & State Duty Exemptions Breakdown
Help District of Columbia Coworkers Audit Unpaid Wage Violations
Over $3 Billion in statutory overtime, daily premiums, and meal break penalty pay goes uncollected every year. Share this free statutory utility with your team or shift coworkers.
Audit Your District of Columbia Salary Exemption & Overtime Rights
Over $3 Billion in unpaid overtime & statutory wage violations go uncollected every year. Audit your 2026 District of Columbia salary floor ($35,568/yr) and FLSA duty tests in seconds.