Hourly Minimum Wage in Tennessee

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The state-wide minimum wage for Tennessee is $7.25 per hour as of January 01, 2023.

View all Tennessee minimum wage values

Hourly Minimum Wage for Tennessee and neighboring states in 2023

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Tennessee minimum wage rate is $7.25 per hour in 2023. Workers receive a lower minimum wage in Tennessee that exceeds the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25. The Tennessee minimum wage applies to most employees, with limited exceptions, including certain tipped employees, students or part-time workers, and other exempt occupations. The top 5 minimum wage states in the U.S. are District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour and has not increased since 2009. Demand for a living wage that is fair to workers is rising. In response to this rising demand, numerous states, cities, and other localities have already enacted or will change minimum wage levels. In the few states with no established minimum wage, the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour will continue to apply.
Based on local legislation, many states have already enacted minimum wage increases or approved increases due for implementation at a future date.
These ever-changing laws, effective dates, and methodologies result in minimum wages that may change at different times or differ dramatically within a state or region. Minimum wage changes can be triggered for a location when these pre-determined conditions change and require careful monitoring to ensure compliance to the latest wage levels.
Salary.com continuously tracks all these complex changes. We can help to keep you informed about future changes and stay up to date on the latest minimum wage levels in your essential locations. Show me more data to view U.S. state minimum wages for future years.

Browse Minimum Wage by Year, and Forecast Minimum Wage Increase Trends in Tennessee

The minimum wages in some states are higher than the federal minimum wage in 2023, including District of Columbia, Washington, California, Connecticut, and others. Many of the minimum wage increases were effective on January 01, 2018. Some states have effective dates occurring at different months of the year. Check the chart to stay up to date on the hourly minimum wage in Tennessee.
View upcoming minimum wage changes to be on top of future changes to the minimum wage in your location.
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Hourly Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees in Tennessee

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The tipped minimum wage is the lowest amount employers can pay an employee in occupations such as a bartender or server, that regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips. In some states, the tipped minimum wage may be lower than the non-tipped minimum wage because employers can claim a tip credit.
It is important to note that the tipped minimum wage can vary depending on where your business is and the size of the business. In some states, the tipped minimum wage is equal to the overall minimum wage for that state. In some locations, the federal tipped minimum wage applies. In other locations, the state-tipped minimum wage is set above the federal minimum. Tipped minimum wages may vary from state to state and can be frequently adjusted, making it essential to stay informed about the latest wage levels.
In Tennessee, the tipped minimum wage is the same as the state minimum wage. It may be subject to adjustment based on other criteria, such as the size of the business.
See tipped data learn more about tipped and non-tipped minimum wage in Tennessee.

What is the minimum wage in Tennessee in 2023?

Tennessee minimum wage in 2021: no state minimum level, Federal minimum wage US$7.25

Tennessee minimum wage in 2020: no state minimum level

Tennessee minimum wage in 2000: no state minimum level

Tennessee minimum wage in 1980: no state minimum level

People's Opinions on Minimum Wage in Tennessee

Because Tennessee has no minimum wage law, Tennessee employees who earn tips are covered by the FLSA rules on tip credits and minimum wages for tipped employees.

09/06/2021

Tennessee’s Wage Regulation Act (which does not address minimum wage or overtime) provides a private right of action only in some cases involving violations of rules about tipped employees.

08/24/2021

Tennessee is one of five states that does not have a minimum wage law, or exemptions for certain categories of workers, like tipped employees and full-time students.

08/18/2021

This affects 30 states, including Tennessee, who either have minimum wage below the federal rate or, like Tennessee, have no minimum wage provisions of their own.

08/13/2021

In addition to any Tennessee-specific minimum wage exemptions described above, the Federal Fair Labor Standards act defines special minimum wage rates applicable to certain types of workers.

08/02/2021

Tennessee, like all states, has to follow federal labor laws that dictate a minimum amount of support for employees, such as the federal minimum wage.

07/27/2021

The minimum wage applies to most employees in Tennessee, with limited exceptions including tipped employees, some student workers, and other exempt occupations.

07/20/2021

Tennessee has no separate wage and hour laws, so any claim brought to require an employer to pay minimum wage or overtime must be filed under FLSA, and our employment lawyer can help.

07/09/2021

All Tennessee employees working over 40 hours in a work week are entitled an overtime wage of at least 1.5 times their regular hourly pay rate - therefore, the overtime minimum wage in TN is.

07/04/2021

It is one thing knowing the minimum wage in Tennessee, but understanding the variations and exceptions due to unique employee/employer situations is a whole other variable.

07/02/2021

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Minimum Wage by State in 2023