Tacoma Will Vote on $20 Minimum Wage Proposal

The city council plans to address a new minimum wage mandate before the end of 2026.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Employment

Tacoma Will Vote on $20 Minimum Wage Proposal

Live Poll

Will increasing the city's minimum wage to $20 help residents manage rising costs of living?

Tacoma City Council will vote on a proposal to raise the city's minimum wage to $20 per hour before the end of 2026. The move follows recent community feedback regarding financial struggles faced by local residents.

Why it matters

The proposal aims to address the rising cost of living and aligns Tacoma more closely with wage standards in neighboring regional hubs. The council is currently drafting an ordinance to determine whether the increase will take effect in 2027 or phase in over time.

The proposed $20 hourly minimum wage follows current rates in nearby cities, including $21.13 in Seattle and a tiered scale of $19.77 to $20.77 in Everett. Tacoma's existing minimum wage currently stands at $17.13 per hour.

The players

Joe Bushnell

He is the Deputy Mayor of Tacoma and is currently responsible for drafting the city ordinance regarding the minimum wage increase.

Tacoma City Council

This is the local governing body responsible for legislative decisions and budgetary oversight for the city of Tacoma.

The details

Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell is currently drafting a city ordinance to facilitate the wage increase process. The council will hold a study session to review the proposal prior to conducting a final vote on the measure.

Aug 8, 2025: Council voted to place a minimum wage initiative on the ballot.
2026: Seattle's minimum wage is $21.13 per hour.
Before end of 2026: The council is expected to vote on the wage proposal.
2027: The potential start date for the wage increase.

Macro View

This proposal mirrors the ongoing shift toward higher localized wage floors throughout the Puget Sound region. It follows a pattern set by regional minimum wage standards as neighboring cities adjust their hourly mandates to address localized economic conditions.

If approved, the increase could provide a significant boost to the monthly budgets of low-wage workers in Tacoma. Residents should monitor council study sessions for details on whether the wage floor will take effect in 2027 or phase in over multiple years.

The takeaway

The council's upcoming vote represents a significant shift for the local labor market and cost of living. Business owners and employees should prepare for potential changes in payroll obligations and income levels starting in 2027.