Statutory minimum wage in Iowa (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Iowa's state hourly wage is $7.25, and employers must pay the current federal minimum wage if it is higher. For an employee's first 90 days an employer must pay at least $6.35 an hour.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $7.25 per hour [1] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | An employer is not required to pay the state hourly wage until the employee has completed 90 calendar days of employment; before that the employer must pay at least $6.35 per hour. [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | $4.35 an hour plus tips; the tip credit is at most 40% of the minimum wage ($2.90). Applies to employees receiving more than $30 a month in tips. [2] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | Cities may not adopt or enforce a minimum or living wage higher than federal or state law; local ordinances adopted before 30 March 2017 became void (Iowa Code 364.3(12)). [3] |
Notes
- The employer must pay the state hourly wage or the current federal minimum wage, whichever is greater (91D.1(1)(b)). Some local governments set rates above the state minimum; the US Department of Labor page does not show these.
- No scheduled change was found in the statute.
Sources
- Iowa Legislature: Iowa Code chapter 91D, Minimum Wage, section 91D.1 (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (revised 1 July 2026) (Internet Archive snapshot of 4 October 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Iowa Legislature: Iowa Code 364.3 Limitations of powers (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Iowa and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa | Yes | $7.25 per hour (or federal if higher) | An employer is not required to pay the state hourly wage until the employee has completed 90 calendar days of employment; before that the employer must pay at least $6.35 per hour. | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Illinois | Yes | $15.00 per hour (age 18+) | Under 18 (<650 h/year): $13.00 | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minnesota | Yes | $11.41 per hour | $9.31 training wage, under 20, first 90 days | 1 January 2027 | $11.87 per hour |
| Missouri | Yes | $15.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Nebraska | Yes | $15.00 per hour | $13.50 aged 14-15; 75% for student-learners | 1 January 2027 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| South Dakota | Yes (state law) | $11.85 per hour | Under 20: federal opportunity wage allowed | 1 January 2027 (annual CPI adjustment) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Wisconsin | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | Under 20: $5.90 for first 90 days | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Iowa
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence · Growing at home: No
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 20 mph business, 25 mph residential · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (intermediate licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 14 (instruction permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, a bicycle · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (consumer fireworks) · Minimum age to buy: 18
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Only an offence if used in a crime · Locking or one-handed knives: Ballistic knife: class D felony; switchblade listed
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Under 18 only
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.