District of Columbia Minimum Wage Law

Employers in the District of Columbia must conform with these state rules regarding the minimum wage paid to employees.

The minimum wage for the District of Columbia is $8.25 per hour (the federal minimum wage rate plus $1).

If a higher wage is established by a wage order, the higher rate prevails.

The District's minimum wage law applies to all employers, except the United States or the District of Columbia. In addition, the following are excluded from the definition of employee:

• volunteers working in an educational, charitable, religious, or nonprofit organization
• lay members elected or appointed to an office within any religious organization
• individuals employed in domestic service or otherwise employed in or about the employer's residence

The following are exempt from the District's minimum wage and overtime laws:

• employees employed in a bona fide executive, administrative or professional capacity
• outside salespersons
• persons delivering newspapers to the homes of customers

The rate for laundry and dry cleaning employees is $5.45 per hour and $4.95 per hour if an employer provides health benefits.