Tacoma 2016 New Minimum Wage

Effective February 1, 2016, minimum wage workers in Tacoma will receive $10.35 per hour. The measure requires employers in Tacoma to increase minimum wage rates over two years to a rate of $12.00 per hour in 2018.

The initiative (Measure No. 1B) passed with 75 percent of the vote. A separate measure to increase the minimum wage to $15.00 an hour did not pass.

Tacoma Minimum Wage Rate Schedule

• Feb. 1, 2016: $10.35 per hour
• Jan. 1, 2017: $11.15 per hour
• Jan. 1, 2018: $12.00 per hour
• Jan. 1, 2019: Adjusted annually based on rate of inflation

Which Businesses are Covered by the New Tacoma Minimum Wage?

All employers (private, non-profit, and government) with employees performing work within Tacoma city limits for 80 or more hours per year need to begin paying the new minimum wage on February 1, 2016, with the exception of federal government and tribal government entities. There are no exemptions based on the size of the business or the number of employees.

Tacoma Minimum Wage Posting Requirements

Employers will be required to provide notice of the City of Tacoma minimum wage requirement to their employees. The City will release specifics on the new Tacoma Minimum Wage posting requirements, but if it’s anything like the recently established Tacoma Paid Leave notice, employers will be required to display a new notice in a conspicuous and accessible place for workers.

The Paid Leave notice allows employers to provide the notice electronically to meet the requirements of that ordinance (18.10.050), so it’s possible that businesses who typically use an intranet or other means of electronic distribution may be able to provide the new Tacoma Minimum Wage notice electronically – and that’s especially helpful for companies employing at-home or other remote workers.

Stay tuned as GovDocs continues to monitor for more specifics from Tacoma.