WA · Parental leave programs 2026
Parental leave in Washington: up to $1,647 a week
Washington's PFML pays up to $1,647 per week. Separate 12-week caps for family and medical leave, with a combined 16-week annual cap in most cases.
Weekly maximum
$1,647
Maximum weeks
12 family / 12 medical (16 combined cap)
Wage replacement
up to 90%
Quick answers
Eight questions most Washington parents ask
- Who qualifies for maternity leave in Washington?
- Workers with at least 820 hours in Washington during the qualifying period, roughly 16 hours a week for a year, whose wages had PFML contributions withheld.
- How much does maternity leave pay in Washington?
- $1,647 per week in 2026, up from $1,542 in 2025. The formula pays 90% of your average weekly wage up to half the state average weekly wage, then 50% above that.
- How long is maternity leave in Washington?
- 12 weeks of bonding leave plus up to 12 weeks of medical leave for the birthing parent, with a combined annual cap of 16 weeks, or 18 weeks where there are pregnancy complications.
- Does FMLA cover maternity leave in Washington?
- Runs concurrently with federal FMLA when both apply. Washington PFML carries its own job protection for workers at employers with 50 or more employees who have 12 or more months of service.
- Does short-term disability cover maternity leave in Washington?
- Washington PFML medical leave is the state short-term disability equivalent and covers postpartum recovery. It is a separate claim from bonding leave, and filing only one is the most common and most expensive error in this state.
- Can both parents take parental leave in Washington?
- Yes. Both parents can claim Washington PFML bonding leave for the same child, each up to 12 weeks.
- What mistakes do parents make with maternity leave in Washington?
- Filing only the bonding claim. State data shows customers who take medical pregnancy leave followed by bonding average 15.6 weeks over a 12-month period, against a 9.9-week average across all customers. Filing late, since the window is 4 weeks after leave starts. Skipping employer supplemental benefits.
- How does Parental Leave Pro help?
- Free intake treats the medical and bonding claims as one plan rather than two disconnected applications, calculates the combined weeks and dollars, sets both filing deadlines, and writes the HR email.
Programs that apply in Washington
WA Paid Family & Medical Leave
Complete state guide with 2026 rates, filing timeline, and coordination rules.
Read the full guide →Federal FMLA
Unpaid job protection. 12 weeks. Requires 12 months tenure and 1,250 hours.
How FMLA and PFML differ →Short-term disability
Employer-provided or state-run STD covers medical recovery. Filed separately from state PFML.
STD vs PFML →Employer policy coordination
Your employer's leave policy is stacked, supplemental, or offset with state PFML. The difference is often $10K-$20K.
How coordination works →Get your Washington-specific plan
The free check takes about 60 seconds.
Runs eligibility across every program above, calculates your specific dollar amount, and writes the HR email that confirms your employer policy's coordination pattern.
Related state programs
OR
Parental leave in Oregon
Oregon Paid Leave pays up to $1,692.16 per week, second only to California. Its real distinction is the replacement rate: low-wage workers can receive up to 100% of their pay, which no other state matches.
CA
Parental leave in California
California uniquely sequences State Disability Insurance for medical recovery into Paid Family Leave for bonding. Both cap at the same $1,765 weekly maximum, and EDD handles the handoff automatically if you file SDI first.
CO
Parental leave in Colorado
Colorado FAMLI pays up to $1,448.02 per week for 12 weeks, plus 4 extra weeks for pregnancy complications. Administered by the FAMLI Division.
Educational content. Not legal, tax, HR, or financial advice. Confirm your specific eligibility with the applicable state agency, your employer, or a qualified advisor.