Hourly Minimum Wage in Wisconsin

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

View all Wisconsin minimum wage values

Hourly Minimum Wage for Wisconsin and neighboring states in 2023

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Wisconsin minimum wage rate is $7.25 per hour in 2023. Workers receive a lower minimum wage in Wisconsin that exceeds the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25. The Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin

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 Wisconsin.
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 Wisconsin

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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 Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin.

What is the minimum wage in Wisconsin in 2023?

Wisconsin minimum wage in 2021: US$7.25 (effective June 1, 2009)

Wisconsin minimum wage in 2020: US$7.25

Wisconsin minimum wage in 2000: US$5.15 ($7.93 after inflation adjustment)

Wisconsin minimum wage in 1980: US$3 ($10.05 after inflation adjustment)

People's Opinions on Minimum Wage in Wisconsin

Although local sick leave and minimum wage laws are preempted, employers in Wisconsin must still comply with a variety of employment laws relating to employee payroll and timekeeping.

09/24/2021

When an employee is suffered or permitted to work hours that are not recorded and paid for, that employee’s right to the FLSA and Wisconsin minimum wage may be violated.

09/21/2021

The Wisconsin Legislature is currently considering a bill that would provide for yearly increases to the state minimum wage rate in connection with the cost of inflation.

09/17/2021

Where an employer deducts for meal periods of less than 30 minutes or does not allow employees to leave the premises for meal periods, FLSA and Wisconsin minimum wage violations may occur.

08/31/2021

All Wisconsin 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 WI is.

08/17/2021

The prevailing wage in Wisconsin describes the minimum wage assigned to construction workers for public works projects, as they are entitled to a higher minimum wage amount.

08/17/2021

Although such employees are not exempt from Wisconsin’s minimum wage requirements, they are, with the exception of 16- and 17-year-olds, exempt from state overtime provisions.

08/03/2021

That is because both the FLSA and Wisconsin law allow employers to pay tipped employees an hourly rate that is less than the minimum wage and to claim a portion of their tips as wages.

08/03/2021

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

07/09/2021

Many Wisconsin workers make minimum wage — not enough to support families, or cover basic needs like food, health care, rent, and transportation, without relying on public assistance.

07/06/2021

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Minimum Wage by State in 2023