$15 an Hour in Washington — After-Tax Take-Home (2026)
At $15/hour (2,080 hours/year), your gross annual income is $31,200. After federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare (Washington has no state income tax), your take-home pay is $13.10/hr. In Washington's high cost-of-living environment, this is below what's needed for comfortable living in Washington.
Pay Period Breakdown
Full Tax Breakdown — Washington, Single Filer
How Does Washington Compare?
See how $15/hr take-home differs in other states at the same wage:
Equivalent Annual Salary Pages
$15/hr = $31,200/year gross. See the full state-by-state salary breakdown:
Adjacent Rates in Washington
Same Rate, Other States
Cost of Living in Washington
- Avg 1BR rent in Seattle: $1,900/mo — over the 30% rule (73% of gross monthly)
- Minimum comfortable income in Washington: $58,000/yr
- Your net annual: $27,249 ($30,751 below comfortable threshold)
- Purchasing power equivalent in Texas: ~$10.9/hr
Working at $15/hr in Washington
No income tax means you keep significantly more of every dollar compared to high-tax states. However, Seattle 1BR rents average $2,000–$2,400/month — among the highest in the US. Washington's $16.66 minimum wage sets a high floor. Workers at this level in Seattle face intense housing pressure; Tacoma, Spokane, and Olympia offer more affordable living while retaining Washington's zero income tax advantage.
At ${rate}/hr, you work roughly 146 hours each month to cover a typical 1BR in Seattle (${rent.toLocaleString()}/mo) -- that's above the 30% gross income guideline. This wage is 0.9x Washington's minimum wage of ${ctx.minWage}/hr. Your combined effective tax rate at ${rate}/hr in Washington is 12.7% -- federal income tax accounts for 5.0%, FICA 7.7% (no Washington state income tax).
Washington's economy is dominated by technology (Amazon and Microsoft are both headquartered here, along with Boeing's main operations), aerospace, and a growing biotech sector. The Seattle metro has among the highest average wages of any metro in the US. Eastern Washington has a strong agricultural economy.
Washington state has no income tax on wages — and no capital gains tax on most investments (a narrow capital gains tax on gains above $262k was upheld in 2023, but wages are unaffected). The state relies on a high sales tax (average 9.23%) and business and occupation (B&O) tax on businesses. For wage earners, Washington's tax structure is among the most favorable in the US.
Washington state's minimum wage is $16.66/hr (2026), among the highest in the US.
Monthly Budget on $15/hr in Washington
Based on $2,271/month take-home. Percentages follow common 50/30/20 guidelines adjusted for Washington's cost of living.
⚠ This budget is underwater — rent alone exceeds the 30% guideline in Washington at $15/hr. Consider roommates, lower-cost areas, or targeting a higher wage to reach balance.
Overtime Pay — $15/hr in Washington
At time-and-a-half ($22.50/hr), here's what overtime adds to your annual net income in Washington. Your marginal tax rate at this income level is ~13.5%.
Hours to Afford Common Purchases at $15/hr
How many hours of work (gross) to buy common items. Actual cost in after-tax hours is higher — divide by your $13.10 net hourly rate for the true cost in time.
Frequently Asked Questions
15 an hour -- is it a good wage in Washington?
15/hr in Washington gives you $27,249/year after taxes -- below what's needed for comfortable living in Washington. Avg 1BR rent in Seattle: $1,900/month (exceeds the 30% rule).
What is 15 an hour after taxes in Washington?
15/hr in Washington = $27,249/year or $2,271/month net. Effective rate: 12.7%.
How does 15/hr go further -- Washington or Texas?
15/hr in Washington has similar purchasing power to ~10.9/hr in Texas.
What does 15/hr look like as a monthly budget in Washington?
On $2,271/month in Washington: rent $1,900, food $272, transport $227, savings $227, surplus ~$0.
How much does overtime add at 15/hr in Washington?
At 1.5x (22.50/hr OT), 5 extra hrs/week adds ~$4,850/year net; 10 hrs/week adds ~$9,750/year.