Washington has no single new-employer rate: new employers pay 115% of their industry average rate, at least 1%. Not included until you enter the rate on your ESD notice.
Minimum wage: Seattle and some cities set higher local minimums.
2What this employee costs you
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire an employee in Washington?
A full-time worker at $20.00/hour ($41,600 a year) with 10 PTO days costs about $45,386 a year before benefits: employer payroll tax $3,182, FUTA $42, Washington unemployment $0 and typical workers' comp $562. That's $22.69 per hour worked.
What is the Washington SUTA rate for new employers in 2026?
Washington sets new-employer rates by industry. The 2026 taxable wage base is $78,200. Washington has no single new-employer rate: new employers pay 115% of their industry average rate, at least 1%. Not included until you enter the rate on your ESD notice.
What is the Washington minimum wage in 2026?
$17.13 per hour. Seattle and some cities set higher local minimums.
How much is workers' comp in Washington?
The 2024 Oregon premium-rate study puts Washington's all-industry index rate at $1.35 per $100 of payroll (rank 12 of 51; national median $1.09). Your real rate depends on job class and claims history.
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