Washington State has been a key player in the pay transparency movement, with its Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (EPOA). As of January 2023, the EPOA requires employers to list a salary range in job descriptions, ensuring greater clarity for job seekers. For companies hiring in Washington, understanding and effortlessly addressing these regulations is essential for seamless compliance.
Key Requirements of Washington State Pay Transparency (EPOA):
- Salary Range in Job Descriptions: As of January 2023, the Washington Equal Pay and Opportunities Act requires employers to list a salary range in job descriptions for positions with 15 or more employees.
- General Description of Benefits and Other Compensation: A general description of all benefits and other compensation to be offered must also be included in the job posting.
- Fixed Amount Clarification (as of July 27, 2025): Recent amendments allow for a single fixed amount instead of a range if only one amount is offered, and provide a five-business-day grace period to correct non-compliant postings after written notice (until July 27, 2027).
- No Salary History Inquiries: Washington law prohibits employers from seeking or requiring an applicant’s wage or salary history.
How Datapeople Helps You Comply with Washington’s EPOA:
Datapeople’s platform is designed to make complying with complex and evolving laws like Washington’s EPOA straightforward and effortless.
- Comprehensive Disclosure Prompts: Datapeople doesn’t just prompt for salary; it ensures you include the required “general description of all benefits and other compensation,” a crucial aspect of Washington’s law.
- Location-Specific Alerts: The tool identifies if a job post is for Washington State and guides you to include all necessary details before publishing, minimizing the risk of non-compliance.
- Adaptability for Fixed Pay: Datapeople’s features can accommodate situations where a single fixed pay amount is appropriate, helping you tailor disclosures correctly.
- Standardized Language & Best Practices: By using Datapeople, you can maintain consistent and accurate disclosures across all your job postings, reducing the likelihood of receiving a non-compliance notice.
- Streamlined Workflow: Datapeople helps embed compliance directly into your job writing process, so your team can focus on attracting talent rather than navigating complex legal texts.
By leveraging Datapeople, you can confidently meet Washington State’s pay transparency obligations, enhance your employer brand, and ensure fair and transparent hiring practices.
Learn more about the broader landscape of pay transparency: