How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Employee in Washington? (2026)
State-specific payroll taxes, workers' comp, and total employer costs in Washington.
Total Cost at $60K Salary
$66,858
Cost multiplier: 1.11x
SUTA Rate (Mid)
1.75%
Wage base: $67,600
Workers' Comp Rate
1.48%
No state income tax
Washington Employer Tax Details
State-specific payroll obligations for employers
| SUTA Rate Range | 0.2% – 5.8% |
| SUTA New Employer Rate (typical) | 1.75% |
| SUTA Wage Base | $67,600 |
| Workers' Compensation (avg) | 1.48% of payroll |
| State Income Tax | No |
| Paid Family Leave (employer share) | 0.48% |
WA Paid Family & Medical Leave: employer share ~0.48% for 50+ employees.
Example Employer Costs in Washington
Mandatory employer taxes only (no benefits or overhead)
| Component | $40,000 Salary | $60,000 Salary | $80,000 Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Security (6.2%) | $2,480 | $3,720 | $4,960 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | $580 | $870 | $1,160 |
| FUTA | $42 | $42 | $42 |
| SUTA (WA) | $700 | $1,050 | $1,183 |
| Workers' Comp | $592 | $888 | $1,184 |
| State Programs (DI/PFL) | $192 | $288 | $384 |
| Total Employer Taxes | $4,586 | $6,858 | $8,913 |
| Total Cost (salary + taxes) | $44,586 (1.11x) | $66,858 (1.11x) | $88,913 (1.11x) |
These estimates include mandatory employer payroll taxes only. Add benefits ($7K-$17K) and overhead (~10% of salary) for full cost.
How Washington Compares
Washington's typical SUTA rate of 1.75% is above the national average of ~1.70%. However, with a wage base of $67,600, which is well above the federal minimum of $7,000, the effective SUTA cost per employee can be significant.
Workers' compensation at 1.48% of payroll is above the national average of ~1.20%. As one of the states with no state income tax, employees in Washington keep more of their paycheck, which can be a hiring advantage without additional employer cost.
Employee Costs in Other States
Related Calculators
Calculate Your Exact Employee Cost
Use our interactive calculator with your specific salary, state, and benefits to get an exact number.
Open Employee Cost CalculatorMore Free Calculators
Break-Even Calculator
Find how many units to sell to cover costs
Markup & Margin
Convert between markup and margin percentages
Startup Cost Estimator
Estimate one-time and recurring startup costs
Loan Comparison
Compare loan options side by side
Profit Margin Calculator
Calculate gross, operating, and net margins
Employee Cost Calculator
Find the true cost of hiring an employee
Get Free Business Tips
Join small business owners getting weekly financial tips and calculator updates. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe with one click.