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Washington: rest break laws

Whether your state requires paid rest breaks during the workday, separate from meal breaks.

Checked on official source
Rest break rulePaid 10 minutes per 4 hours worked; no more than 3 hours without a break
Who it coversMost workers

Under federal law, any short break of 5 to 20 minutes that your employer chooses to give must be paid. Separate rules may apply to minors and nursing mothers.

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in Washington.

How Washington compares

9 of 51 states and DC share this answer (Yes): California, Colorado, Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont.

Alaska: No state requirementAKMaine: No state requirementMEVermont: Reasonable opportunities to eat and use the restroomVTNew Hampshire: No state requirementNHWashington: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours worked; no more than 3 hours without a breakWAIdaho: No state requirementIDMontana: No state requirementMTNorth Dakota: No state requirementNDMinnesota: Paid time to use the restroom within each 4 hoursMNIllinois: Two paid 15-minute breaks per 7+ hour shiftILWisconsin: No state requirementWIMichigan: No state requirementMINew York: No state requirementNYRhode Island: No state requirementRIMassachusetts: No state requirementMAOregon: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours worked, plus the meal periodORNevada: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours workedNVWyoming: No state requirementWYSouth Dakota: No state requirementSDIowa: No state requirementIAIndiana: No state requirementINOhio: No state requirementOHPennsylvania: No state requirementPANew Jersey: No state requirementNJConnecticut: No state requirementCTCalifornia: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours workedCAUtah: No state requirementUTColorado: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours workedCONebraska: No state requirementNEMissouri: No state requirementMOKentucky: Paid 10 minutes per 4 hours workedKYWest Virginia: No state requirementWVVirginia: No state requirementVAMaryland: No state requirementMDDelaware: No state requirementDEArizona: No state requirementAZNew Mexico: No state requirementNMKansas: No state requirementKSArkansas: No state requirementARTennessee: No state requirementTNNorth Carolina: No state requirementNCSouth Carolina: No state requirementSCDistrict of Columbia: No state requirementDCOklahoma: No state requirementOKLouisiana: No state requirementLAMississippi: No state requirementMSAlabama: No state requirementALGeorgia: No state requirementGAHawaii: No state requirementHITexas: No state requirementTXFlorida: No state requirementFL
  • Yes (9)
  • No (42)

Also for Washington: Discrimination deadlines in Washington · Paid leave programs in Washington · Minimum wage in Washington · Final paycheck rules in Washington · Paid sick leave in Washington · State income tax in Washington · Right-to-work laws in Washington · Tipped minimum wage in Washington · Payday frequency in Washington · State EITC in Washington · Noncompete laws in Washington · All Washington rules on one page

How we checked this

Rules come from the U.S. Department of Labor's table of state paid rest period requirements for adult workers. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.

Cross-checked sources agree   Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site   Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data   Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.