City Minimum Wage

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The City of Bellingham requires employers to pay the city minimum wage. The current minimum wage in Bellingham is $17.28. 

Minimum wage workers 

The City’s minimum wage applies to all hours worked by employees within the geographic boundaries of the city of Bellingham. Employers with employees who are paid minimum wage and performing work within the city limits must comply with the minimum wage requirements. 

Minimum wage increases 

As of May 1, 2024, the current minimum wage in Bellingham is $17.28, which is $1.00 above the Washington State minimum wage for 2024. Further increases in the city minimum wage will be tied to changes to the Washington State minimum wage set under RCW 49.46. 

  • Starting January 1, 2025, the city minimum wage will be set at $17.66, so that it remains $1.00 above the Washington State minimum wage of $16.66, which takes effect on January 1, 2025.
  • Starting May 1, 2025, the city minimum wage will be set at $2.00 above the applicable Washington State minimum wage. 
  • Every year after, starting in 2026, the city minimum wage will be set at $2.00 above the applicable Washington State minimum wage effective on January 1 every year. The city will establish the city minimum wage within two weeks of the publication of the new state minimum wage.  

Enforcement of the minimum wage requirement 

Employers must ensure they pay minimum wage employees the city minimum wage. Employers must keep records (as required by RCW 49.46.070) and any other information the City may use to confirm they are complying with the minimum wage requirements. 

Anyone who believes they are not receiving the correct minimum wage may bring a complaint against their employer. Employees who believe their employer is not complying with the new minimum wage rules should contact a private attorney or their union, if they have one, to pursue a complaint. Employees may also file a complaint with the Washington State Department of Labor of Industries.

The court may require employers who violate this requirement to pay back wages or provide other forms of relief to affected employees.  

Frequently Asked Questions

In the November 2023 election, Bellingham voters approved an initiative to establish a city minimum wage set above the Washington state minimum wage. The approved initiative has been codified in Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 6.07: Minimum Wage for Employees.

In addition to infractions, citations or payment of back wages, the City will also issue the following penalties to employers who violate minimum wage requirements. 

  • First offense: a fine of up to $500.00 per underpaid employee per pay period 
  • Second offense: a fine of up to $750.00 per underpaid employee per pay period 
  • Third and further offenses: a fine up to $1,000 per underpaid employee per pay period 

If you believe you are not being paid the correct minimum wage, you can:

City code indicates that the city minimum wage applies to all employees performing work in the city. (See Bellingham Municipal Code Chapter 6.07.010: Definitions.) A definitive answer about how this applies to employers based outside of Bellingham can only be provided by a reviewing court. 

Iniaitive No. 2023-01 was silent with respect to how it applies to minors. A definitive answer about how the Bellingham minimum wage applies to minors can only be provided by a reviewing court. Employers who intend to pay minors working in the city less than the published Bellingham minimum wage are encouraged to discuss this issue with their legal counsel.

No. The City’s minimum wage ordinance does not require employers to post a sign notifying their employees of the amount of the City’s minimum wage. 

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