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Washington, D.C. Minimum Wage Requirements

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Is there a separate minimum wage for the District of Columbia? I know there is one for each state.

Yes. There are minimum wage requirements for employers within the District of Columbia, just as there are minimum wage requirements for employers in states across the U.S. Many states across the U.S. have their own minimum wages, which are generally separate from the federal minimum wage. Washington, D.C. also has its own minimum wage, which is set at a higher rate than the federal minimum wage.

The Fair Labor Standards Act is responsible for setting the federal minimum wage. All states also have the option of setting their own minimum wage, which is greater than or equal to the federal minimum wage in most cases. The Washington, D.C. minimum wage is currently set at a rate of $7.00 per hour, which is greater than the current federal minimum wage by $1.15. Beginning on July 24, 2008, the D.C. minimum wage will increase again to $7.55.

When it comes to establishing the minimum wage for Washington, D.C. the rate is based on a standard 40 hour workweek. In the event that employees work more than 40 hours a week, they qualify to receive premium overtime benefits, which means that the employees can receive a rate that is equal to time-and-a-half.

In Washington, D.C., as in states across the country, not all employees are entitled to receive the same minimum wage. For example, if an employer employs workers who are full-time students, student learners, workers with disabilities or workers under the age of 20, they may be paid a lower rate per hour. Tipped employees can also be paid as little as $2.13, as long as their tips add up to an average that is equal to the minimum wage. Also, if an employee is under the age of 20, the employer can pay him or her less than the minimum wage for the first 90 consecutive days of employment. CB