Washington D.C. Overtime Calculator 2026

The 2026 D.C. Minimum Wage ($17.50/hr)

The District of Columbia consistently sets one of the highest minimum wage rates in the United States. Adjusted annually for inflation every July 1st, the projected standard minimum wage for D.C. in 2026 is $17.50 per hour.

If you work in D.C., you are entitled to time-and-a-half (1.5x) your regular rate for any hours worked over 40 in a single workweek. D.C. does not have a daily overtime mandate. If you need to map out your weekly shifts, you can use our free printable timesheets.

Initiative 82: The End of the Tipped Wage

Washington D.C. is in the middle of a massive legal transition for restaurant and hospitality workers. Following the passage of Initiative 82, the district is completely phasing out the "tip credit" system.

"By July 1, 2027, the tipped minimum wage will equal the standard minimum wage. Employers will no longer be allowed to use your tips to subsidize your base hourly pay."

For 2026, the tipped minimum base wage has climbed to approximately $12.00 per hour. This drastically changes how your overtime is calculated. When a tipped worker exceeds 40 hours, their 1.5x multiplier is applied to the full $17.50 wage, and only the legally allowed, shrinking tip credit is subtracted.

A line graph showing the D.C. tipped minimum wage rising sharply from $5.35 in 2022 to $12.00+ in 2026, eventually merging with the standard minimum wage line in 2027. — Under Initiative 82, the gap between the tipped wage and the standard wage closes completely by 2027.

The "Capitol Hill Hustle" – Salary Overtime Rules

Washington D.C. is famous for its dense concentration of non-profits (NGOs), government contractors, and entry-level political staffers. A common misconception on Capitol Hill is that if you are paid a fixed salary, you do not qualify for overtime.

This is false. Unless you meet the strict FLSA duties test and earn above the federal salary threshold, you are classified as "Salaried Non-Exempt."

**D.C. Salaried Overtime Conversion Example ($800/week)**
Calculation Step	Formula
1. Find Regular Hourly Rate	$800 Salary ÷ 40 hours = $20.00/hr
2. Find Overtime Rate (1.5x)	$20.00 × 1.5 = $30.00/hr
3. Calculate 10 OT Hours	10 hrs × $30.00 = $300.00
Total Paycheck	$800 + $300 = $1,100.00

If you are an administrative assistant or junior coordinator working 60-hour weeks for a flat $800 salary, your employer owes you significant back pay. You can switch the calculator above to "Fixed Salary" mode to see exactly how much overtime pay you are missing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the minimum wage in Washington D.C. for 2026?

For 2026, the standard minimum wage in Washington D.C. is projected to be $17.50 per hour. D.C. consistently maintains one of the highest minimum wage rates in the United States, adjusting annually for inflation.

2. Does Washington D.C. require daily overtime?

No. Washington D.C. follows the standard weekly overtime rule. Employers are required to pay time-and-a-half (1.5x) only for hours worked in excess of 40 hours during a 7-day workweek. There is no daily overtime mandate.

3. What is Initiative 82 and how does it affect tipped workers?

Initiative 82 is a D.C. law that is gradually phasing out the tip credit. By 2027, tipped workers must be paid the full standard minimum wage by their employer, regardless of tips. In 2026, the tipped minimum base wage is approximately $12.00 per hour.

4. Can salaried workers get overtime in D.C.?

Yes, if they are classified as 'salaried non-exempt'. Simply paying a fixed salary does not exempt an employer from paying overtime. Your salary must be converted to an hourly rate, and you must be paid 1.5x that rate for hours over 40.

Washington D.C. Overtime Calculator