Washington, D.C. employers: D.C.’s regular minimum wage rose to $17.95 per hour on July 1, 2025. A companion hike that would lift the tipped base wage from $10 to $12 the same day is in flux. The Council passed an emergency bill to delay that piece until October 1, 2025, but as of this writing the D.C. Mayor has not yet signed it. Stay tuned, but review the below for details on the increase.
New Rates at a Glance
- Standard (all non-tipped workers): $17.95 per hour (effective 7/1/25)
- Tipped workers: $12.00 per hour (effective 7/1/25 unless the delay bill is signed, in which case the $12 rate starts 10/1/25; until then it remains $10)
Compliance To-Do List
| Task |
|---|
| Update wage tables in payroll/HRIS |
| Communicate new rates to managers & affected staff |
| Adjust labor budgets, job ads, and offer letters |
| Replace on-site posters or update digital notice board |
Official Resources
- D.C. Department of Employment Services – Minimum Wage Page (official rates, poster PDFs, FAQs) (does.dc.gov)
- Bill B26-0274: “Tipped Minimum Wage Increase Clarification Emergency Amendment Act of 2025” (legislative status tracker) (billtrack50.com)
Disclaimer: The information contained herein is not intended to be construed as legal advice, nor should it be relied on as such. Employers should closely monitor the rules and regulations specific to their jurisdiction(s) and should seek advice from counsel relative to their rights and responsibilities.