Skip to content
Oakclause

Minimum Wage in Louisiana

Louisiana has no state minimum wage law, so employers covered by federal law must pay at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, with a $2.13 cash wage allowed for tipped employees.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Louisiana at a glance

Minimum wage (per hour)
$7.25 (federal rate, no state law)
No state minimum wage law; the federal Fair Labor Standards Act rate applies to covered employers.
Tipped cash wage (per hour)
$2.13 (federal rate)
Federal tip credit rules apply to employees who receive more than $30 a month in tips.
Next scheduled increase
None scheduled
No state minimum wage law; any change would follow the federal rate.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Louisiana

What is the minimum wage in Louisiana in 2026?

Minimum wage (per hour) in Louisiana: $7.25 (federal rate, no state law). No state minimum wage law; the federal Fair Labor Standards Act rate applies to covered employers.

What is the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in Louisiana?

Tipped cash wage (per hour) in Louisiana: $2.13 (federal rate). Federal tip credit rules apply to employees who receive more than $30 a month in tips.

When is the next minimum wage increase in Louisiana?

Next scheduled increase in Louisiana: None scheduled. No state minimum wage law; any change would follow the federal rate.

Where do the Louisiana minimum wage laws come from?

The rules above come from 29 U.S.C. 206 and 29 U.S.C. 203(m). Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Check which rate applies before setting pay. Coverage rules, employer size thresholds, and exemptions for certain jobs or industries differ, and a local ordinance may require more than the state rate. The statute linked on each state page is the starting point.

Where a lower tipped cash wage is allowed, the employer usually must make up the difference whenever tips fall short of the full minimum wage for the pay period. Keeping accurate records of hours worked and tips reported helps show that every pay period met the minimum.

Rates can change on fixed dates, often January 1 or July 1, and some states adjust them each year for inflation. Reviewing pay rates, offer letters, and employment contracts ahead of each scheduled change helps avoid underpayment claims.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.