When working in Washington, knowing exactly how much you’ll earn can be tricky—especially with overtime rules. To make things easier, we’ve built a Washington Wage Calculator that lets you quickly determine your gross pay, overtime pay, and total pay based on the hours you worked and your hourly rate. Whether you’re an employee checking your paycheck, an employer reviewing payroll, or a freelancer billing clients, this calculator helps you get clear, accurate results in seconds.
Washington Wage Calculator
What is the Washington Wage Calculator?
The Washington Wage Calculator is an easy-to-use tool that helps workers and employers estimate weekly pay. By simply entering your hours worked and hourly rate, the calculator instantly shows:
- Gross Pay – Regular pay for up to 40 hours.
- Overtime Pay – Pay at 1.5x the hourly rate for hours worked beyond 40.
- Total Pay – The sum of gross and overtime pay.
This tool ensures you don’t need to manually do the math. It’s designed to comply with federal and Washington state overtime pay laws, where employees are entitled to “time and a half” after 40 hours per week (unless exempt).
How to Use the Washington Wage Calculator (Step-by-Step)
Using the calculator is simple and requires just a few steps:
- Enter Hours Worked
- Input the total number of hours you worked in the week.
- Decimal values are allowed (e.g., 37.5 for 37 hours and 30 minutes).
- Enter Hourly Rate
- Input your hourly wage.
- The calculator automatically formats it as dollars.
- Click “Calculate”
- The tool instantly computes your gross pay, overtime pay, and total pay.
- Review Results
- Gross pay (up to 40 hours)
- Overtime pay (1.5x hourly rate for extra hours)
- Total pay (gross + overtime)
- Reset If Needed
- Click “Reset” to clear your inputs and start over.
Practical Example
Let’s walk through an example.
- Hours Worked: 45
- Hourly Rate: $20
Step 1: Regular Pay
- Regular hours = 40 × $20 = $800
Step 2: Overtime Pay
- Overtime hours = 5 × ($20 × 1.5) = $150
Step 3: Total Pay
- Total = $800 + $150 = $950
With just two inputs, the calculator shows that working 45 hours at $20/hour equals $950 total pay, including overtime.
Why Use the Washington Wage Calculator?
- Saves time – No manual math needed.
- Accuracy – Uses Washington’s overtime rules.
- Employee-friendly – Know what to expect on your paycheck.
- Employer use – Quickly estimate payroll for hourly workers.
- Freelancers & contractors – Bill clients fairly for extra hours.
Additional Information About Washington Pay Rules
- Minimum Wage in Washington (2025): Washington has one of the highest minimum wages in the U.S. (currently $16.28/hour as of Jan 2025).
- Overtime Law: Most workers must be paid 1.5x their hourly rate for any hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek.
- Exemptions: Certain salaried employees, seasonal workers, and some independent contractors may be exempt.
- Meal & Rest Breaks: Washington law also requires employers to provide specific break periods, ensuring fair labor practices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does the Washington Wage Calculator do?
It calculates your gross pay, overtime pay, and total pay based on hours worked and hourly rate.
2. Is overtime pay always 1.5x in Washington?
Yes, most employees must receive 1.5 times their regular rate for hours beyond 40 in a week.
3. Does this calculator include taxes?
No. It shows gross pay before taxes and deductions.
4. Can salaried employees use this calculator?
Not typically. Salaried workers are often exempt from overtime, but hourly workers benefit the most from this tool.
5. What is Washington’s minimum wage in 2025?
The minimum wage in Washington is $16.28 per hour (updated annually for inflation).
6. Does the calculator account for double time?
No, it only accounts for standard overtime (time and a half). Double time may apply in rare cases under employer policy, not state law.
7. How accurate is the calculator?
It follows standard wage and overtime rules in Washington, making it highly accurate for hourly workers.
8. Can this calculator be used by employers?
Yes, employers can use it to quickly estimate payroll costs for hourly staff.
9. Does it calculate daily overtime?
No. Washington follows weekly overtime rules (over 40 hours/week), not daily.
10. Can freelancers use this tool?
Yes. Freelancers can use it to bill clients for both standard and overtime hours.
11. What if I worked 39.5 hours?
You can enter decimals, and the calculator will give exact gross pay without overtime.
12. Does Washington have different overtime rules for minors?
Yes. Workers under 16 have restrictions on maximum work hours, but overtime pay rules remain similar.
13. Will this tool work for multiple jobs?
It calculates based on one job at a time. If you work multiple jobs, calculate separately for each.
14. How do I calculate bi-weekly pay?
Run the calculator for one week, then double the results for two weeks.
15. Does this include holiday pay?
No, holiday pay depends on employer policy. Washington law does not require extra holiday pay.
16. Can I use this for tipped wages?
Yes, but remember Washington does not allow tip credits—tipped workers must still earn at least minimum wage.
17. What happens if I work 60 hours?
The calculator will apply 20 overtime hours at 1.5x rate, showing accurate pay.
18. Can I use this for part-time work?
Absolutely. Just enter your hours and rate, and the calculator adjusts accordingly.
19. Does this calculator work on mobile?
Yes, it’s mobile-friendly and works on any device.
20. Is my data stored when I use the calculator?
No, the tool simply processes your input on the page. Nothing is saved.
Final Thoughts
The Washington Wage Calculator is a fast, reliable way to estimate your pay, understand your earnings, and make sure you’re being compensated fairly under Washington labor laws. Whether you’re a worker tracking your paycheck, an employer handling payroll, or a freelancer billing clients, this tool helps eliminate guesswork and ensures transparency.