State labor laws · WA

Washington labor laws for hourly teams.

Weekly overtime after 40 hours with no daily overtime, a 30-minute meal that starts between the second and fifth hour, and a paid 10-minute rest break for every 4 hours.

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The rules below come from Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Employment Standards, or from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act where Washington has no rule of its own. Each topic page shows its sources and the date we checked them.

Washington at a glance

Washington
OvertimeWashington requires time and a half the regular rate for every hour worked over 40 in a workweek, for employers of any size.
Meal and rest breaksWashington requires a 30-minute meal period on shifts over 5 hours, starting no earlier than 2 hours and no later than 5 hours into the shift, and no one may work more than 5 hours in a row without one.

Read the full rule

Overtime

Washington Overtime Laws for Hourly Employees (2026)

Washington overtime rules: time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek, no daily overtime, and a 2026 exempt salary of $1,541.70 a week, with an example.

Meal and rest breaks

Washington Meal and Rest Break Laws (2026)

Washington break rules: a 30-minute meal starting between the second and fifth hour on shifts over 5 hours, and a paid 10-minute rest break every 4 hours.

Who enforces it

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Employment Standards. Federal overtime and hours-worked rules are enforced by the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division.

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This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change; check the linked source.