Wash. Rev. Code » Title 49 · Chapter 49.48
Revised Code of Washington

Wash. Rev. Code § 49.48.030 (2026)

✓ current as of May 2026
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In any action in which any person is successful in recovering judgment for wages or salary owed to him or her, reasonable attorney's fees, in an amount to be determined by the court, shall be assessed against said employer or former employer: PROVIDED, HOWEVER, That this section shall not apply if the amount of recovery is less than or equal to the amount admitted by the employer to be owing for said wages or salary.
[ 2010 c 8 s 12048; 1971 ex.s. c 55 s 3; 1888 c 128 s 3; RRS s 7596.]
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 234 cases (32 in the last 5 years), 1978–2026 · leading case: Int'l Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local 46 v. City of Everett, 42 P.3d 1265 (Wash. 2002).
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Int'l Ass'n of Fire Fighters, Local 46 v. City of Everett, 42 P.3d 1265 (Wash. 2002). · cites it 53× “— The City of Everett seeks reversal of a decision by the Court of Appeals, Division One, awarding attorney fees pursuant to RCW 49.48.030 to the International Association of Fire Fighters, Local 46, for a successful grievance arbitration action on behalf of union members Curt…”
Arnold v. City of Seattle, 374 P.3d 111 (Wash. 2016). · cites it 68× “¶1 RCW 49.48.030 provides that employees are entitled to reasonable attorney fees from their employer or former employer “[i]n any action in which any person is successful in recovering judgment for wages or salary owed to him or her.”
Lietz v. Hansen Law Offices, PSC, 271 P.3d 899 (Wash. Ct. App. 2012). · cites it 35× “¶1 Paul Lietz appeals the trial court’s (1) refusal to enter a CR 68 offer of judgment, which Hansen Law Offices PSC and Amy Hansen (collectively Hansen) extended before trial and Lietz claims he unconditionally accepted; and (2) refusal to award attorney fees under RCW…”
Gaglidari v. Denny's Restaurants, Inc., 815 P.2d 1362 (Wash. 1991). · cites it 18× “The court awarded plaintiff $8,000 in attorney fees pursuant to RCW 49.48.030. Defendant appealed directly to this court.”
Dice v. City of Montesano, 131 Wash. App. 675 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 14× “It argues that the trial court (1) did not give effect to the contract’s plain meaning, (2) erred when it ruled severance pay constituted salary or wages under RCW 49.48.030, and (3) did not properly segregate its legal fee award.”
Dice v. City of Montesano, 128 P.3d 1253 (Wash. Ct. App. 2006). · cites it 14× “It argues that the trial court (1) did not give effect to the contract's plain meaning; (2) erred when it ruled severance pay constituted salary or wages under RCW 49.48.030; and (3) did not properly segregate its legal fee award.”
McGinnity v. AutoNation, Inc., 149 Wash. App. 277 (Wash. Ct. App. 2009). · cites it 27× “*280 ¶1 We have held that awards for attorney fees under RCW 49.48.030 1 are not limited to judgments for wages earned for work performed, but are recoverable under RCW 49.”
Bates v. City of Richland, 112 Wash. App. 919 (Wash. Ct. App. 2002). · cites it 14× “070, and attorney fees under RCW 49.48.030 and RCW 49.52.070. We conclude that Richland’s performance-based salary system does not maintain parity between the pensions of the Pensioners and the salaries of their currently-employed counterparts.”
Trachtenberg v. Dep't of Corr., 93 P.3d 217 (Wash. Ct. App. 2004). · cites it 20× “Here, a civil service employee sought attorney fees for a successful Board appeal under RCW 49.48.030, which provides for an award of attorney fees when an employee brings an action to recover wages owed.”
Corey v. Pierce Cnty., 225 P.3d 367 (Wash. Ct. App. 2010). · cites it 8× “112 Corey moved for an award of attorney fees under RCW 49.48.030. The County moved to strike the request, arguing that it was untimely.”
Flower v. T.R.A. Indus., Inc., 111 P.3d 1192 (Wash. Ct. App. 2005). · cites it 7× “Flower quit or was fired is not then relevant to this issue. Mr.”
Bostain v. Food Exp., Inc., 153 P.3d 846 (Wash. 2007). · cites it 4× “090(1), RCW 49.48.030, and RCW 49.52.070. The trial court granted summary judgment to the Bostains, ruling that truck drivers are entitled to overtime pay under the MWA if they are employed in Washington but spend some of their driving time outside the state.”
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