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Washington: noncompete laws

Whether your employer can make you sign a noncompete, and the pay thresholds and job types that are protected.

Can employers use noncompetes?Restricted by pay level or job
DetailsAllowed only for employees earning over $126,858.83 (2026), for up to 18 months. A near-total ban takes effect June 30, 2027.

Rules apply based on where you work. Many states also limit agreements not to solicit customers or co-workers. Thresholds change each year; check the current figure.

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

13 of 51 states and DC share this answer (Restricted by pay level or job): Colorado, District of Columbia, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Virginia.

Alaska: Allowed if reasonableAKMaine: Restricted by pay level or jobMEVermont: Allowed if reasonableVTNew Hampshire: Restricted by pay level or jobNHWashington: Restricted by pay level or jobWAIdaho: Allowed if reasonableIDMontana: Allowed if reasonableMTNorth Dakota: BannedNDMinnesota: BannedMNIllinois: Restricted by pay level or jobILWisconsin: Allowed if reasonableWIMichigan: Allowed if reasonableMINew York: Allowed if reasonableNYRhode Island: Restricted by pay level or jobRIMassachusetts: Restricted by pay level or jobMAOregon: Restricted by pay level or jobORNevada: Restricted by pay level or jobNVWyoming: BannedWYSouth Dakota: Allowed if reasonableSDIowa: Allowed if reasonableIAIndiana: Allowed if reasonableINOhio: Allowed if reasonableOHPennsylvania: Allowed if reasonablePANew Jersey: Allowed if reasonableNJConnecticut: Allowed if reasonableCTCalifornia: BannedCAUtah: Allowed if reasonableUTColorado: Restricted by pay level or jobCONebraska: Allowed if reasonableNEMissouri: Allowed if reasonableMOKentucky: Allowed if reasonableKYWest Virginia: Allowed if reasonableWVVirginia: Restricted by pay level or jobVAMaryland: Restricted by pay level or jobMDDelaware: Allowed if reasonableDEArizona: Allowed if reasonableAZNew Mexico: Allowed if reasonableNMKansas: Allowed if reasonableKSArkansas: Allowed if reasonableARTennessee: Restricted by pay level or jobTNNorth Carolina: Allowed if reasonableNCSouth Carolina: Allowed if reasonableSCDistrict of Columbia: Restricted by pay level or jobDCOklahoma: BannedOKLouisiana: Allowed if reasonableLAMississippi: Allowed if reasonableMSAlabama: Allowed if reasonableALGeorgia: Allowed if reasonableGAHawaii: Allowed if reasonableHITexas: Allowed if reasonableTXFlorida: Allowed if reasonableFL
  • Allowed if reasonable (33)
  • Restricted by pay level or job (13)
  • Banned (5)

Also for Washington: Workers' comp deadlines in Washington · Workers' comp benefits in Washington · Paid leave programs in Washington · Minimum wage in Washington · Final paycheck rules in Washington · Unemployment benefits in Washington · Meal break laws in Washington · Tipped minimum wage in Washington · Payday frequency in Washington · Rest break laws in Washington · All Washington rules on one page

How we checked this

Rules come from Foley & Lardner's July 2026 federal and state overview, with 2026 pay thresholds from law firm updates and full bans checked against two other 2026 trackers. 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.