D.C. Minimum Wage Increased to $17 on July 1

The minimum wage in D.C. increased to $17.00 per hour on July 1, 2023 for all workers, regardless of the size of the employer. As a result of legislation passed in 2016, the minimum wage in D.C. is adjusted every July 1 pursuant to the Consumer Price Index.

In addition, tipped workers' minimum wage rose to $8.00 per hour, part of a planned series of wage increases that will eventually eliminate the tipped minimum wage in D.C. by 2027.

Employers should make sure to display the District’s updated Minimum Wage Amendment Revision Act Poster in a visible location at their worksite or on an online message board/the company’s intranet for employees working remotely.

Wages are also going up in neighboring jurisdictions. Nearby, Maryland’s statewide minimum wage is $12.80-$13.25 per hour (depending on employer size) with higher minimum wages in Montgomery County ($14.50-$16.70). Virginia’s newly enacted statewide minimum wage is currently set at $12.00 per hour.

The D.C. minimum wage requirement applies to any employee who works at least 50 percent of the time in D.C., regardless of where the worker resides. Nonprofit employers should also be aware of other wage and hour requirements in the District including providing both new and existing employees with “Notice of Hire” forms and paying eligible employees overtime when they work more than 40 hours per week.