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Minimum Wage in Wisconsin

Wisconsin's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and tipped employees must receive a cash wage of at least $2.33 per hour.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Wisconsin at a glance

Minimum wage (per hour)
$7.25
Lower rates apply to opportunity employees and minors.
Tipped cash wage (per hour)
$2.33
Tipped opportunity employees may be paid $2.13.
Next scheduled increase
None scheduled
No increase is set in current law.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Wisconsin

What is the minimum wage in Wisconsin in 2026?

Minimum wage (per hour) in Wisconsin: $7.25. Lower rates apply to opportunity employees and minors.

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

Tipped cash wage (per hour) in Wisconsin: $2.33. Tipped opportunity employees may be paid $2.13.

When is the next minimum wage increase in Wisconsin?

Next scheduled increase in Wisconsin: None scheduled. No increase is set in current law.

Where do the Wisconsin minimum wage laws come from?

The rules above come from Wis. Admin. Code DWD 272.03. 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.