Washington nanny & household employment guide
Everything a family or nanny needs to know about household employment law in Washington: overtime, payroll taxes, and workers' compensation. This is a plain-language summary, not legal advice.
Overtime rules in Washington
- Live-out overtime begins after 40 hours/week.
- Live-in overtime begins after exempt under the federal default.
- Overtime multiplier: 1.5x.
Payroll taxes in Washington
Federal (applies everywhere): Social Security 6.2% and Medicare 1.45% from both employer and employee, plus FUTA at 0.6% on the first $7,000 (employer only).
Washington state taxes:
- State unemployment (SUTA, employer): 1.30% on the first $72,800 of wages.
- State income tax: None.
- Other state employer taxes: 0.27%.
- Other state employee taxes (SDI / paid leave): 1.24%.
State disability / paid leave: WA Paid Leave: ~0.74% split. WA Cares: 0.58% paid by employee.
Workers' compensation in Washington
Required for any household employee.
Put it in writing
Once you have the rules straight, document the terms. The free Kindred offer letter generator builds a professional nanny offer letter covering pay, overtime, PTO, and duties. See also the nanny tax calculator and take-home pay calculator.
Hiring in Washington? Post a job free on Kindred or see what nannies earn.