Workers who earn tips may be paid a base wage of $10.00 an hour in D.C. However, tipped workers still must receive an average of $17.50 per hour including the tips that they earn over the course of the week. If workers’ tips are not enough to bring them up to the minimum wage, the employer is obligated to pay the difference.

Usually it should. Many workers in D.C. have the right to overtime when they work more than 40 hours in a workweek. The overtime rate is 1.5 times your regular pay rate (so if you are normally paid $20 an hour, you would be paid $30 an hour for every hour you work beyond 40 hours in a given workweek.) Some exceptions include certain executive, administrative, or professional workers, parking lot attendants, and independent contractors. If you don’t supervise anyone, work in H.R., or have a professional degree and your employer still isn’t providing overtime, it is worth getting legal advice on whether you are eligible.

If you work for a D.C. contractor or subcontractor, you likely have the right to be paid at a higher “living wage” rate. As of January 1, 2023, the living wage rate for D.C. contractors is $17.50 an hour, and it will go up to reflect increases in the cost of living every year. Employees who work for most D.C. government contractors, subcontractors, or other businesses that receive substantial government assistance must receive D.C.’s living wage rate, but there are exceptions.

If you work on federal contracts or subcontracts, there are several laws that may require you to be paid prevailing wages and benefits that are higher than the minimum wage. Workers who work on federal contracts for construction or federal service contracts may be entitled to earn specific higher wages and benefits that depend on what their job is. If you work on a federal contract job, consider getting legal advice to ensure you are earning what the law requires.