Payroll Services in Washington: Costs, Taxes and Best Providers (2026)
Payroll services for a Washington business cost $44 to $130 per month for 1 to 10 employees at entry-tier list prices as of November 2026, and every major provider files Washington payroll taxes. Because Washington has local or special payroll taxes, choose a provider that files local returns automatically.
Prices verified November 2026
What Washington employers must handle
Washington has no income tax but does have Paid Family and Medical Leave premiums, WA Cares long-term-care premiums and Seattle-specific ordinances. Confirm your provider withholds and files these.
| State income tax withholding | No — no state income tax |
| Local or special payroll taxes | Yes — confirm your provider files them |
| State unemployment insurance (SUTA) | Yes — every state; rate assigned to your business annually |
| Federal (FICA, FUTA, income tax) | Yes — handled by every provider listed |
| Where to register | Washington ESD |
Minimum wage, SUTA rates and new-hire reporting deadlines change; check Washington ESD for current figures. Every provider on this page files Washington payroll taxes.
Payroll prices for a Washington business
| Provider (entry plan) | Base / mo | Per employee | 1 emp. | 5 emp. | 10 emp. | 25 emp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ADP — Essential (quote; est.) | $79 | $5 | $84* | $104* | $129* | $204* |
| Paychex — Flex Essentials (higher tiers quoted) | $39 | $5 | $44 | $64 | $89 | $164 |
| Gusto — Simple | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 |
| OnPay — Payroll Essentials | $49 | $6 | $55 | $79 | $109 | $199 |
| QuickBooks Payroll — Workforce Payroll (Core) | $50 | $7 | $57 | $85 | $120 | $225 |
| Rippling — Platform (required) (higher tiers quoted) | $40 | $8 | $48 | $80 | $120 | $240 |
* Estimate for quote-only providers based on publicly reported quotes; ADP bills per pay run so a weekly payroll costs more. Prices are list prices before promotions.
Want Washington providers to quote your real headcount? Providers quote below list for the right customer. Tell us your headcount and up to 4 of them compete. Free, about a minute.
Get my quotesBest payroll providers for Washington employers
Paychex
Owners who want a named human to call, businesses considering a PEO later, and anyone bundling payroll with workers' comp or retirement.
ADP
Businesses that expect to grow past 50 employees, need benefits and retirement plans from one vendor, or want the most recognized brand when talking to lenders and accountants.
OnPay
Small businesses, farms, nonprofits and restaurants that want the lowest all-in price with no surprise fees, and free white-glove setup.
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- Prices verified November 2026
Other states
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- Washington, D.C.
Frequently asked questions
Does Washington have state income tax on wages?
No. Washington does not tax wage income. Employers still owe federal withholding, FICA and state unemployment tax.
What is the cheapest payroll service in Washington?
OnPay and Gusto Simple both list at $49 per month plus $6 per person. Paychex Flex Essentials lists at $39 plus $5 but adds filing fees. For local tax filing, confirm the provider files, not just withholds.
Do I need to register my business for payroll in Washington?
Yes. Register with Washington ESD and with the state unemployment agency before your first payroll. Your provider can file on your behalf but usually needs the account numbers from you.