Minimum Wage by State (2027): All 50 States and DC
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited September 30, 2026). · Law checked current as of November 7, 2026. · 21 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Minimum wage rates now range from the federal $7.25 an hour to $18.40 in the District of Columbia, and each state page linked below shows the rate, the tipped cash wage and what changes next. Every linked row comes from that state's page, verified between September 28 and September 30, 2026, and the January 1, 2027 column was checked against state agencies, state laws and the U.S. Department of Labor on November 6, 2026. A row without a link belongs to a state whose page is not yet published, and its rate comes from the source named in the row.
Information last verified on 2026-09-30, with the 2027 column checked on 2026-11-06. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
Jurisdiction scope: This guide compares state minimum wage laws in all 50 states and the District of Columbia, plus the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) floor. It covers rates, tipped cash wages and announced changes. It does not cover overtime rules in detail or the laws of other countries. For the federal rules, see the federal minimum wage guide.
Pick a state below to see its minimum wage today, the tipped cash wage, the next scheduled raise and what the wage pays per week, month and year.
Minimum wage calculator
Minimum wage in Florida today
$15.00 /hr
In effect since September 30, 2026. Fla. Const. art. X, s.24(c)
Tipped cash wage: $11.98 an hour in cash, with tips making up the rest of the full minimum Source
Next change: Indexed to CPI-W from 2028: the adjusted rate is calculated on September 30, 2027 and takes effect January 1, 2028. Fla. Const. art. X, s.24(c)
Gross pay at $15.00 for 40 hours a week
- Per week
- $600.00
- Per month
- $2,600.00
- Per year
- $31,200.00
Before taxes, at the full minimum wage (for a tipped job, cash wage plus tips must reach it). A year is 52 weeks; a month is a year divided by 12.
Statewide general rate only. Local, industry, youth and training rates and exemptions can differ.
Full minimum wage calculator and raise calendar · Florida minimum wage guide
Rates checked against state labor agency and statute sources on November 6, 2026.
Minimum wage by state in 2026 and 2027
The table lists the general rate now in force, the cash wage an employer must pay a tipped worker before tips, the general rate on January 1, 2027 with its status, and any later step already set. The 2027 column was checked on November 6, 2026. "Announced" means an agency has published the figure, "scheduled by statute" means the law fixes it, "no change scheduled" means the current rate continues because no new rate is set for that date, and "not yet announced" means the agency had not published the figure when checked. A city or county can set a higher rate than the state, so use the state page for local rules.
Northeast states
The table below covers 9 states in the Northeast.
| State | Minimum wage now | Tipped cash wage | January 1, 2027 | Later changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $6.38 for hotel and restaurant service employees; $8.23 for bartenders | $17.48 (announced August 2026) | None announced |
| Maine | $15.10 | $7.55 | $15.70 (announced by the Maine Department of Labor on September 18, 2026) | None announced |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | $6.75 | $15.00 (no change scheduled) | None scheduled |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 (the state follows the federal rate) | 45 percent of the minimum wage | $7.25 (no change scheduled; changes only if the federal rate changes) | None scheduled |
| New Jersey | $15.92 | $6.05 | $16.48 (announced by NJDOL) | None announced |
| New York | $17.00 (New York City, Long Island, Westchester); $16.00 elsewhere | Food service workers $11.35 or $10.70 by region; service employees $14.15 or $13.30 | No change: $17.00 and $16.00 stay the same (announced by NYSDOL, which says an inflation off-ramp was met) | None scheduled |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 (the state rate matches the federal rate) | $2.83 | $7.25 (no change scheduled; follows the federal rate) | None scheduled |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | $3.89 minimum cash wage | $17.00 (scheduled by statute) | None scheduled |
| Vermont | $14.42 | $7.21 | Not yet announced as of November 6, 2026 (indexed to inflation) | None announced |
Midwest states
The table below covers 12 states in the Midwest.
| State | Minimum wage now | Tipped cash wage | January 1, 2027 | Later changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $15.00 | $9.00 | $15.00 (no change scheduled statewide) | Chicago and Cook County adjust each July 1 |
| Indiana | $7.25 | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 (no change scheduled; the state rate is the federal rate) | None scheduled |
| Iowa | $7.25 | $4.35 | $7.25 (no change scheduled) | None scheduled |
| Kansas | $7.25 | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 (no change scheduled) | None scheduled |
| Michigan | $13.73 | $5.49 (40 percent of the general rate) | $15.00 (scheduled by statute) | Inflation indexing from January 1, 2028 (scheduled by statute) |
| Minnesota | $11.41 | No tip credit; full rate | $11.87 (announced by the Department of Labor and Industry on August 19, 2026) | None announced |
| Missouri | $15.00 | $7.50 (50 percent of the rate) | $15.00 (no change scheduled) | None scheduled |
| Nebraska | $15.00 (per the U.S. Department of Labor's state table, July 1, 2026) | Not covered in this table | $15.26 (shown on the Nebraska Department of Labor minimum wage poster) | $15.53 on January 1, 2028 (shown on the same poster) |
| North Dakota | $7.25 | $4.86 (33 percent tip credit) | $7.25 (no change scheduled as of November 6, 2026) | None scheduled as of November 6, 2026 |
| Ohio | $11.00 | $5.50 | $11.40 (shown on the Department of Commerce 2027 poster) | None announced |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | $5.925 | $12.30 (announced by the Department of Labor and Regulation) | None announced |
| Wisconsin | $7.25 | $2.33 | $7.25 (no change scheduled) | None scheduled |
Southern states
The tables below cover 16 states in the South, plus the District of Columbia.
South Atlantic states
The table below covers 8 South Atlantic states, plus the District of Columbia.
| State | Minimum wage now | Tipped cash wage | January 1, 2027 | Later changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | $15.00 | $2.23 | $15.00 (no change scheduled) | None scheduled |
| District of Columbia | $18.40 (since July 1, 2026) | $10.30 | $18.40 (no change on January 1; the District adjusts each July 1) | July 1, 2027, indexed to inflation (amount not yet announced) |
| Florida | $15.00 (from September 30, 2026) | $11.98 | $15.00 (no change scheduled) | Inflation indexing begins January 1, 2028 under the state constitution (amount not yet announced) |
| Georgia | $7.25 (federal; state law says $5.15) | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 federal (no change scheduled) | None scheduled |
| Maryland | $15.00 (higher in three counties) | $3.63 | $15.00 (no change scheduled statewide) | None scheduled statewide |
| North Carolina | $7.25 | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 (no change scheduled) | None scheduled |
| South Carolina | $7.25 (federal; no state rate) | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 federal (no change scheduled; no state rate) | None scheduled |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $2.13 | $13.75 (scheduled by statute) | $15.00 on January 1, 2028 (scheduled by statute) |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $2.62 | $8.75 (no change scheduled) | None scheduled |
East South Central states
The table below covers 4 East South Central states.
| State | Minimum wage now | Tipped cash wage | January 1, 2027 | Later changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $7.25 (federal; no state rate) | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 federal (no change scheduled; no state rate) | None scheduled |
| Kentucky | $7.25 | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 (no change scheduled) | None scheduled |
| Mississippi | $7.25 (federal; no state rate) | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 federal (no change scheduled; no state rate) | None scheduled |
| Tennessee | $7.25 (federal; no state rate) | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 federal (no change scheduled; no state rate) | None scheduled |
West South Central states
The table below covers 4 West South Central states.
| State | Minimum wage now | Tipped cash wage | January 1, 2027 | Later changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | $11.00 (since January 1, 2021) | $2.63 | $11.00 (no change scheduled; no inflation indexing) | None scheduled |
| Louisiana | $7.25 (federal; no state rate) | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 federal (no change scheduled; no state rate) | None scheduled |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 (no change scheduled as of November 6, 2026) | None scheduled as of November 6, 2026 |
| Texas | $7.25 | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 (no change scheduled) | None scheduled |
Western states
The table below covers 13 states in the West.
| State | Minimum wage now | Tipped cash wage | January 1, 2027 | Later changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $14.00 (since July 1, 2026) | No tip credit; full rate | $14.00 (no change on January 1) | $15.00 on July 1, 2027 (scheduled by statute), then annual inflation adjustments |
| Arizona | $15.15 | $12.15 | $15.65 (announced by the Industrial Commission of Arizona) | None announced |
| California | $16.90 | No tip credit; full rate | $17.40 (certified by the Director of Finance on July 31, 2026) | None announced |
| Colorado | $15.16 | $12.14 | $15.71 (announced by CDLE on August 13, 2026) | None announced |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | $14.75 | $16.00 (no change scheduled) | $18.00 on January 1, 2028 (scheduled by statute) |
| Idaho | $7.25 | $3.35 | $7.25 (no change scheduled; the state rate tracks the federal rate) | None scheduled |
| Montana | $10.85 ($4.00 for a narrow tier of small businesses outside the FLSA) | No tip credit; full rate | $11.20 (announced by the Department of Labor & Industry) | None announced |
| Nevada | $12.00 (since July 1, 2024) | $12.00 (no tip credit) | $12.00 (no change scheduled; no inflation indexing) | None scheduled |
| New Mexico | $12.00 (Santa Fe $15.40) | $3.00 | No state change found as of November 6, 2026; Santa Fe is scheduled for $17.50 and Albuquerque for $13.00 | No state change found as of November 6, 2026 |
| Oregon | $15.55 standard; $16.80 Portland metro; $14.55 nonurban (since July 1, 2026) | No tip credit; full rate | No change on January 1; Oregon adjusts each July 1 | July 1, 2027, indexed to inflation (the Bureau of Labor and Industries calculates it by April 30, 2027) |
| Utah | $7.25 | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 (no change scheduled as of November 6, 2026) | None scheduled as of November 6, 2026 |
| Washington | $17.13 | No tip credit; full rate | $17.73 (announced by the Department of Labor & Industries) | None announced |
| Wyoming | $7.25 (federal; state law says $5.15) | $2.13 (federal) | $7.25 federal (no change scheduled; state law says $5.15) | None scheduled |
How federal and state minimum wages work together
The federal rate is $7.25 an hour and has been since July 24, 2009 (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)(C)). Under 29 U.S.C. 218(a), nothing in the FLSA excuses compliance with a state law or city ordinance that sets a higher minimum wage, so an employee covered by both laws is owed the higher rate. Our federal minimum wage guide covers coverage, exemptions and the youth rate.
The federal floor still matters in low-wage states. Some state acts exclude employers the FLSA covers, so the federal rate is what most workers there actually receive.
Which states are at $7.25 or have no state minimum wage law?
Five states have no state minimum wage law: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. The U.S. Department of Labor's state table, updated July 1, 2026, lists no state rate for them, and covered employers owe $7.25.
Georgia and Wyoming have a state rate of $5.15, which is below the federal rate, so $7.25 governs covered workers. These states are at $7.25 under their own laws: Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin. In several of them the state act excludes FLSA-covered employers, as the state pages explain.
Which states pay $15 or more?
Statewide rates of $15.00 or more are in force in Arizona ($15.15), California ($16.90), Colorado ($15.16), Connecticut ($16.94), Delaware ($15.00), the District of Columbia ($18.40), Florida ($15.00 from September 30, 2026), Hawaii ($16.00), Illinois ($15.00), Maine ($15.10), Maryland ($15.00), Massachusetts ($15.00), Missouri ($15.00), New Jersey ($15.92), New York ($16.00 or $17.00 by region), Rhode Island ($16.00) and Washington ($17.13). The U.S. Department of Labor's table lists Nebraska at $15.00.
Oregon sets three regional tiers: $15.55 standard, $16.80 in the Portland metro area and $14.55 in nonurban counties. Alaska pays $14.00 and steps to $15.00 on July 1, 2027 under state law.
Which states change on January 1, 2027?
Among the states with a page here, fourteen have an announced or scheduled new rate for January 1, 2027, as checked on November 6, 2026:
- Announced by the agency: Arizona $15.65; California $17.40; Colorado $15.71; Connecticut $17.48; Maine $15.70; Minnesota $11.87; Montana $11.20; New Jersey $16.48; Ohio $11.40; South Dakota $12.30; Washington $17.73.
- Scheduled by statute: Michigan $15.00; Rhode Island $17.00; Virginia $13.75.
Nebraska, which does not yet have a page here, is listed at $15.26 from January 1, 2027 on the Nebraska Department of Labor's minimum wage poster.
New York indexes its rate to inflation from 2027, but NYSDOL announced that one of the off-ramp conditions was met, so its $17.00 and $16.00 rates stay the same on January 1, 2027. Vermont also indexes its rate to inflation, but its Department of Labor had not published a 2027 rate as of November 6, 2026; its page will be updated once the rate is published.
Some changes fall on other dates. The District of Columbia and Oregon adjust on July 1, Alaska steps up on July 1, 2027, and Hawaii stays at $16.00 through 2027 before its scheduled $18.00 on January 1, 2028. Florida stays at $15.00 through December 31, 2027. Virginia steps to $15.00 on January 1, 2028, and Michigan begins inflation indexing from that date.
Tipped minimum wage by state
Federal law lets an employer pay a tipped employee a $2.13 cash wage if tips bring the worker to at least $7.25, and the employer must make up any shortfall (29 U.S.C. 203(m)(2)(A)). States that follow the federal figure include Texas, Utah, Kansas, Kentucky and Indiana. Others set a somewhat higher cash wage: Idaho $3.35, Iowa $4.35, Wisconsin $2.33 and West Virginia $2.62.
Some states require a much higher tipped cash wage: Ohio $5.50, Massachusetts $6.75, New Jersey $6.05, Arizona $12.15, Colorado $12.14 and Florida $11.98.
Seven states allow no tip credit: Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon and Washington, as their pages state, and Nevada, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's tipped wage table. In every state, an employer may not keep employees' tips (29 U.S.C. 203(m)(2)(B)).
Local and city minimum wages
Many cities and counties set rates above the state rate, and the highest applicable rate governs. The state pages list the verified local rates. Examples in 2026 include Chicago at $17.05 and suburban Cook County at $15.40 (Illinois), Denver at $19.29 (Colorado), Seattle at $21.30 (Washington), Santa Fe at $15.40 (New Mexico), and Montgomery County at $15.95 to $18.00 by employer size, Howard County at $16.00 and Prince George's County at $15.30 (Maryland).
In other states, including Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Oklahoma and North Dakota, the state pages say cities cannot set a higher general minimum wage.
How do you file a minimum wage complaint?
An underpaid worker can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-487-9243 or with the state labor agency named on the state page. Under 29 U.S.C. 216(b), an employer that violates the federal minimum wage owes the unpaid wages plus an equal amount as liquidated damages. The usual deadline to sue is two years, or three for a willful violation (29 U.S.C. 255(a)), and retaliation for filing a complaint is unlawful (29 U.S.C. 215(a)(3)).
State deadlines and damages differ, so use the state page. For pay owed after a job ends, see our guide to unpaid wages, and use the overtime calculator to check overtime pay.
Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information about minimum wage laws in the United States and is not legal advice. It reflects state and federal law as verified between September 28 and September 30, 2026, with the January 1, 2027 rates checked on November 6, 2026. For advice about a specific situation, consult a lawyer licensed in your state or contact your state labor agency or the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.
Related
Last updated: 2026-11-06.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in the United States in 2026?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour (29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)(C)), but most states set a higher rate, and the higher rate applies under 29 U.S.C. 218(a). The District of Columbia has the highest state-level rate at $18.40 since July 1, 2026.
Which states have a $15 minimum wage?
Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida (from September 30, 2026), Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Washington are at $15.00 or more statewide. The U.S. Department of Labor also lists Nebraska at $15.00.
What will the minimum wage be in 2027?
Announced or scheduled January 1, 2027 rates include Arizona $15.65, California $17.40, Colorado $15.71, Connecticut $17.48, Maine $15.70, Michigan $15.00, Minnesota $11.87, Montana $11.20, New Jersey $16.48, Ohio $11.40, Rhode Island $17.00, South Dakota $12.30, Virginia $13.75 and Washington $17.73, and the Nebraska Department of Labor lists $15.26 for Nebraska. New York's rates stay the same because an inflation off-ramp was met, and Vermont had not published a 2027 rate as of November 6, 2026.
Which states have no state minimum wage?
Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee have no state minimum wage law, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's state table updated July 1, 2026. Covered employers in those states owe the federal $7.25.
What is the tipped minimum wage by state?
The federal tipped cash wage is $2.13, and many states follow it. Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Oregon and Washington require the full minimum wage before tips, while states such as Arizona ($12.15), Colorado ($12.14) and Florida ($11.98) set a high cash wage.
Can a city set a higher minimum wage than the state?
In some states, yes, such as Illinois, Colorado, Washington and Maryland, where the state pages list local rates. In others, including Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Texas and Wisconsin, the state pages say cities cannot set a higher general minimum wage.
How do I report an employer who pays less than minimum wage?
File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-487-9243 or with your state labor agency. The federal deadline to sue is generally two years, or three for a willful violation (29 U.S.C. 255(a)).
Updates
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Updated the 2027 announcements: Montana ($11.20), South Dakota ($12.30) and Washington ($17.73) announced 2027 rates, and New York announced no 2027 inflation increase.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
State-by-state comparison
Each state guide below is paired with the governing statute our editors adjudicated for it, held in our own legal record and verified against the official source.
Northeast
| State | Statute cited | Court citations |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | Connecticut General Statutes, Title 31 (Labor), Chapter 558 § 31-58 — Definitions. | 78 opinions · latest 2026 |
| Maine | Maine Revised Statutes, Title 26: LABOR AND INDUSTRY, Chapter 7: EMPLOYMENT PRACTICES § 664 — Minimum wage; overtime rate | — |
| Massachusetts | Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 151 § 1 — Oppressive and unreasonable wages; validity of contracts | — |
| New Hampshire | New Hampshire Revised Statutes Annotated, TITLE XXIII LABOR, CHAPTER 279 MINIMUM WAGE LAW § 279:21 — Minimum Hourly Rate. | — |
| New Jersey | New Jersey Statutes (Unannotated) § 34:11-56a4 — Minimum wage rate; exceptions. | — |
| New York | New York Labor Law § 652 — Minimum wage | 171 opinions · latest 2026 |
| Pennsylvania | — | — |
| Rhode Island | Rhode Island General Laws, Title 28: Labor and Labor Relations, Chapter 28-12: Minimum Wages § 28-12-3 — Minimum wages | — |
| Vermont | Vermont Statutes Annotated, Title 21: Labor, Chapter 5: Employment Practices, Subchapter: MINIMUM WAGES § 384 — Employment; wages | — |
Midwest
South
West
Each statute shown is the same adjudicated anchor its state guide renders, independently verified against primary sources. A dash means not yet adjudicated in our record — never that no law exists.
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
United States Code Title 29
§ 206Minimum wageIn forcecited in 49 of our articles
Every employer shall pay to each of his employees who in any workweek is engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce, or is employed in an enterprise engaged in commerce or in the production of goods for commerce, wages at the following rates: except as otherwise provided in this section, not less than— $5.85 an hour, beginning on the 60th day after May 25, 2007; $6.55 an hour, beginning 12 months after that 60th day; and $7.25 an hour, beginning 24 months after that 60th day; if such employee is a home worker in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, not less than the minimum piece rate prescribed by regulation or order; or, if no such minimum piece rate is in effect, any piece rate adopted by such employer which shall yield, to the proportion or class of employees prescribed by regulation or order, not less than the applicable minimum hourly wage rate. Such minimum piece rates or employer piece rates shall be commensurate with, and shall be paid in lieu of, the minimum hourly wage rate applicable under the provisions of this section.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 6,250 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Mark D. Tourscher v. Martin Horn, Secretary of the Pa. Dept. Of Corrections John McCullough Superintendent ,(d.c. Civil No. 98-Cv-00176j) (Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit 1999, 184 F.3d 236)“…wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (“FLSA”), 29 U.S.C. § 206 (a), for the work he was compelled to d…”
- Christensen v. Harris County (Supreme Court of the United States 2000, 529 U.S. 576)“…in the private sector of the economy or the public sector. 29 U. S. C. §§ 206 , 207 (1994 ed. and Supp. III). In 1985…”
- Barrentine v. Arkansas-Best Freight System, Inc. (Supreme Court of the United States 1981, 450 U.S. 728)“…a minimum wage under § 6 of the Fair Labor Standards Act, 29 U. S. C. § 206 , may not be waived through a collectiv…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Ohio Debt Collection Laws: Garnishment Formula, the 6-Year Consumer Debt Rule, and Repossession, South Dakota Debt Collection Laws: The 20% Garnishment Cap and 120-Day Lien, Wage Theft in the U.S.: Your Rights Regardless of Immigration Status
§ 218Relation to other lawsIn forcecited in 52 of our articles
No provision of this chapter or of any order thereunder shall excuse noncompliance with any Federal or State law or municipal ordinance establishing a minimum wage higher than the minimum wage established under this chapter or a maximum work week lower than the maximum workweek established under this chapter, and no provision of this chapter relating to the employment of child labor shall justify noncompliance with any Federal or State law or municipal ordinance establishing a higher standard than the standard established under this chapter. No provision of this chapter shall justify any employer in reducing a wage paid by him which is in excess of the applicable minimum wage under this chapter, or justify any employer in increasing hours of employment maintained by him which are shorter than the maximum hours applicable under this chapter.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 312 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Philip Williamson Itzik Riefronda Kirlin Thomas Painter,plaintiffs-Appellants v. General Dynamics Corporation,opinion (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 2000, 208 F.3d 1144)“…wage, hour, and child labor legislation. See 29 U.S.C. § 218 (a). 1 *1151…”
- United States v. Klinghoffer Bros. Realty Corp., Irving Jacobson and Albert Klinghoffer (Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 1961, 285 F.2d 487)“…agreement to accept reduced pay is valid, notwithstanding 29 U.S.C. § 218 . White v. Witwer Grocer Co., 8 Cir.,…”
- Pacific Merchant Shipping Ass'n v. Aubry (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 1990, 918 F.2d 1409)“…han the maximum workweek established under this chapter. 29 U.S.C. Section 218 (a). The employees and the United State…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Alabama Minimum Wage (2027): Still $7.25, No State Rate, Alaska Minimum Wage (2027): $14.00, Rising to $15.00 July 1, Arizona Minimum Wage (2027): $15.65 an Hour From Jan. 1
§ 203DefinitionsIn forcecited in 32 of our articles
As used in this chapter— “Person” means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, legal representative, or any organized group of persons. “Commerce” means trade, commerce, transportation, transmission, or communication among the several States or between any State and any place outside thereof. “State” means any State of the United States or the District of Columbia or any Territory or possession of the United States. “Employer” includes any person acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee and includes a public agency, but does not include any labor organization (other than when acting as an employer) or anyone acting in the capacity of officer or agent of such labor organization. Except as provided in paragraphs (2), (3), and (4), the term “employee” means any individual employed by an employer.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 4,743 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Wisconsin v. Yoder (Supreme Court of the United States 1972, 406 U.S. 205)“…hteen years or detrimental to their health or well-being." 29 U. S. C. § 203 (l). [20] Cf. e. g., Jacobson v…”
- College Savings Bank v. Florida Prepaid Postsecondary Education Expense Board (Supreme Court of the United States 1999, 527 U.S. 666)“…specifically covered the state hospitals in question, see 29 U. S. C. § 203 (d) (1964 ed.), and such coverage was u…”
- Garcia v. San Antonio Metropolitan Transit Authority (Supreme Court of the United States 1985, 469 U.S. 528)“…vernment employees. §§ 6(a)(1) and (6), 88 Stat. 58 , 60, 29 U. S. C. §§ 203 (d) and (x). SATS complied with the FLS…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Arkansas Minimum Wage (2027): Still $11.00, No Change Scheduled, Colorado Minimum Wage (2027): $15.71 an Hour From Jan. 1, Federal Minimum Wage (2027): Still $7.25, No Change Scheduled
§ 215Prohibited acts; prima facie evidenceIn forcecited in 33 of our articles
After the expiration of one hundred and twenty days from June 25, 1938, it shall be unlawful for any person— to transport, offer for transportation, ship, deliver, or sell in commerce, or to ship, deliver, or sell with knowledge that shipment or delivery or sale thereof in commerce is intended, any goods in the production of which any employee was employed in violation of section 206 or section 207 of this title, or in violation of any regulation or order of the Secretary issued under section 214 of this title; except that no provision of this chapter shall impose any liability upon any common carrier for the transportation in commerce in the regular course of its business of any goods not produced by such common carrier, and no provision of this chapter shall excuse any common carrier from its obligation to accept any goods for transportation; and except that any such transportation, offer, shipment, delivery, or sale of such goods by a purchaser who acquired them in good faith in reliance on written assurance from the producer that the goods were produced in compliance with the requirements of this chapter, and who acquired such goods for value without notice of any such…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 1,632 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Frank L. LOEB, Plaintiff, v. TEXTRON, INC., Et Al., Defendants (Court of Appeals for the First Circuit 1979, 600 F.2d 1003)“…available under the FLSA. A relevant starting point may be 29 U.S.C. § 215 (a)(3), which prohibits the retaliatory…”
- United States v. Universal C. I. T. Credit Corp. (Supreme Court of the United States 1952, 344 U.S. 218)“…1060 , *219 1068-1069, as amended, 63 Stat. 910 , 919, 29 U. S. C. §§ 215 , 216 (a), charging the defendant corpo…”
- Mitchell v. Robert DeMario Jewelry, Inc. (Supreme Court of the United States 1960, 361 U.S. 288)“…he three employees in violation of § 15 (a)(3) of the Act, 29 U. S. C. § 215 (a)(3), and' praying for an. order enj…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Federal Whistleblower Laws: Protections and How to Report, Employer Threatening to Call Immigration? Your Rights in the U.S., Connecticut Minimum Wage (2027): $17.48 an Hour From Jan. 1
§ 216PenaltiesIn forcecited in 46 of our articles
Any person who willfully violates any of the provisions of section 215 of this title shall upon conviction thereof be subject to a fine of not more than $10,000, or to imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. No person shall be imprisoned under this subsection except for an offense committed after the conviction of such person for a prior offense under this subsection. Any employer who violates the provisions of section 206 or section 207 of this title shall be liable to the employee or employees affected in the amount of their unpaid minimum wages, or their unpaid overtime compensation, as the case may be, and in an additional equal amount as liquidated damages. Any employer who violates the provisions of section 215(a)(3) or 218d of this title shall be liable for such legal or equitable relief as may be appropriate to effectuate the purposes of section 215(a)(3) or 218d of this title, including without limitation employment, reinstatement, promotion, and the payment of wages lost and an additional equal amount as liquidated damages.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-09-03 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 9,526 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
In the courts (editorial summary, independently checked):The Supreme Court treats Section 216(b) as the FLSA's private-suit clause. Alden v. Maine (1999) held Article I gives Congress no power to subject nonconsenting states to such private damages suits in their own courts. Christensen v. Harris County (2000) applied Section 216(b)'s requirement that plaintiffs prove a Section 207 violation.
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Alyeska Pipeline Service Co. v. Wilderness Society (Supreme Court of the United States 1975, 421 U.S. 240)“…abor Standards Act, § 16 (b), 52 Stat. 1069 , as amended, 29 U. S. C. § 216 (b); Longshoremen's and Harbor Workers…”
- Roadway Express, Inc. v. Piper (Supreme Court of the United States 1980, 447 U.S. 752)“…ther taxable costs. Compare 42 U. S. C. § 2000a-3 (b) with 29 U. S. C. § 216 (b) (1970 ed., Supp. V).” Id., at 6…”
- Hutto v. Finney (Supreme Court of the United States 1979, 437 U.S. 678)“…ther taxable costs. Compare 42 U. S. C. § 2000a-3 (b) with 29 U. S. C. § 216 (b) (1970 ed., Supp. V). [29] See…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Unpaid Wages: How to File a Claim and Recover What You're Owed, Independent Contractor vs. Employee: The IRS, DOL and ABC Tests, Washington DC Minimum Wage (2027): $18.40, Next Change July 1
§ 255Statute of limitationsIn forcecited in 39 of our articles
Any action commenced on or after May 14, 1947, to enforce any cause of action for unpaid minimum wages, unpaid overtime compensation, or liquidated damages, under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended [29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.], the Walsh-Healey Act, or the Bacon-Davis Act 1 See References in Text note below. — if the cause of action accrues on or after May 14, 1947 —may be commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, and every such action shall be forever barred unless commenced within two years after the cause of action accrued, except that a cause of action arising out of a willful violation may be commenced within three years after the cause of action accrued; if the cause of action accrued prior to May 14, 1947 —may be commenced within whichever of the following periods is the shorter: (1) two years after the cause of action accrued, or (2) the period prescribed by the applicable State statute of limitations; and, except as provided in paragraph (c), every such action shall be forever barred unless commenced within the shorter of such two periods; if the cause of action accrued prior to May 14, 1947, the action shall not be barred by paragraph (b)…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-07-28 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at uscode.house.gov
Cited in 2,924 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2026
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- Kimel v. Florida Board of Regents (Supreme Court of the United States 2000, 528 U.S. 62)“…added to the statute of limitations provision of the FLSA, 29 U. S. C. § 255 , a new subsection (d), which suspended…”
- Oscar Mayer & Co. v. Evans (Supreme Court of the United States 1979, 441 U.S. 750)“…title shall apply to actions under this chapter." Title 29 U. S. C. § 255 provides in relevant part: "Any acti…”
- Phyllis Miller v. Maxwell's International Inc., Dba Maxwell's Plum, Debtor in Possession Carlo Galazzo, Gen. Mgt., Dino La Rosa Don Bohn Don Schupak (Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit 1993, 991 F.2d 583)“…o a more generous three-year statute of limitations. See 29 U.S.C. § 255 (a) (1988) (three-year statute of limit…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Georgia Minimum Wage (2027): $7.25, No Change Scheduled, Hawaii Minimum Wage (2027): $16.00 All Year, $18.00 in 2028, Idaho Minimum Wage (2027): Still $7.25, No Change Scheduled
Sources and References
- 29 U.S.C. 206, Minimum wage(law.cornell.edu)
- 29 U.S.C. 218, Relation to other laws(law.cornell.edu)
- U.S. Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws(dol.gov).gov
- U.S. Department of Labor: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees(dol.gov).gov
- 29 U.S.C. 203, Definitions (tip credit)(law.cornell.edu)
- U.S. Department of Labor: File a Complaint(dol.gov).gov
- 29 U.S.C. 216, Penalties(law.cornell.edu)
- 29 U.S.C. 255, Statute of limitations(law.cornell.edu)
- 29 U.S.C. 215, Prohibited acts(law.cornell.edu)
- 34 Pa. Code 231.101a, Minimum wage increase(pacodeandbulletin.gov).gov
- Nevada Labor Commissioner: Minimum Wage(labor.nv.gov).gov
- Nevada Labor Commissioner, 2025 Annual Minimum Wage Bulletin(labor.nv.gov).gov
- Industrial Commission of Arizona, 2027 minimum wage poster (Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act)(azica.gov).gov
- California Department of Finance, minimum wage increase notification for January 1, 2027(dof.ca.gov).gov
- Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Colorado minimum wage will increase to $15.71/hour in 2027(cdle.colorado.gov).gov
- Governor of Connecticut, minimum wage will increase on January 1, 2027(portal.ct.gov).gov
- Maine Department of Labor, minimum wage to increase to $15.70 per hour in 2027(maine.gov).gov
- Michigan Public Act 1 of 2025 (minimum wage schedule)(legislature.mi.gov).gov
- Nebraska Department of Labor, State of Nebraska Minimum Wage poster(dol.nebraska.gov).gov
- New York State Department of Labor, minimum wage(dol.ny.gov).gov
- Rhode Island General Laws 28-12-3, minimum wages(rilegislature.gov).gov
- Code of Virginia 40.1-28.10, minimum wage(law.lis.virginia.gov).gov
- Alaska Statutes 23.10.065, minimum wage(akleg.gov).gov
- Hawaii Revised Statutes 387-2, minimum wages(capitol.hawaii.gov).gov
- Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries, minimum wage schedule(oregon.gov).gov
- Florida Constitution, Article X, Section 24(flsenate.gov).gov
- Vermont Department of Labor, press releases(labor.vermont.gov).gov