July 29, 2025
On June 6, 2025, the Washington Employment Security Department released the average annual wage amounts for 2024. The average annual wages are used to calculate paid family and medical leave maximum benefit levels for new claims filed on or after January 1, 2026. Based on an average weekly wage of $1,830 in 2024, the maximum weekly paid leave benefit will be $1,647 for new claims filed on or after January 1, 2026. The minimum weekly paid leave benefit will remain at its current amount, which is $100.
Employers should be aware of this recent announcement and the maximum weekly paid leave benefits effective for new claims filed in 2026.