Hiring Your First Employee in Washington

You must have a registered business before hiring employees in Washington. If you have already formed your LLC with the Secretary of State, this one is done. If not, finish your formation first — employer setup comes after the business itself exists.

If you're already licensed and hiring employees for the first time, update your Business License Application. Washington says this should generally be done no sooner than 90 days before you plan to hire.

Washington employers generally obtain workers' compensation coverage through Washington Labor and Industries (L&I). Updating your business license for hiring employees starts this registration process.

Employers with Washington employees generally need an Employment Security Department employer account and must file required quarterly wage and tax reports.

Before paying employees, establish a payroll process for wages, required deductions, employer taxes, pay statements and payroll records.

Employers generally need to complete federal employment paperwork for each person they hire, including Form I-9 (employment eligibility verification) and Form W-4 (federal income tax withholding) requirements. Use the official government links below rather than third-party filing services.

Washington requires employers to report newly hired and qualifying rehired employees within 20 days.

Depending on the business and the worker, employers may have additional workplace requirements — paid sick leave, Paid Family & Medical Leave, WA Cares, workplace safety, required posters, minimum wage, overtime, and employee records. Review these with the official Washington agencies as you prepare to hire.

Washington requires employers to maintain certain payroll and employment records. Keeping organized records from your very first payroll makes quarterly reports — and any later review — much easier.