Statutory minimum wage in Kentucky (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Kentucky has a state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour under KRS 337.275. The state rate is raised to the federal rate whenever the federal minimum wage is higher. The statute sets no scheduled increase.
| 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 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | For employees who customarily receive more than $30 a month in tips, the employer may pay the federal tipped cash wage (29 U.S.C. 203), currently $2.13 an hour, if wages plus tips reach the minimum wage. [1] |
| Overtime payEmployees | 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours a week; employees who work all seven days of a workweek get 1.5 times for hours on the seventh day. [2] |
Notes
- KRS 337.275 sets $7.25 per hour and raises the state rate to the federal rate, effective on the same date, if the federal minimum wage rises above it. A tip credit up to the federal tipped wage applies to employees who customarily receive more than $30 a month in tips.
- KRS 337.275 sets a single hourly rate with no age-based or training rate. Exclusions from coverage are defined in KRS 337.010, which was not reviewed.
- The statute has no scheduled increase; the state rate changes only if the federal minimum wage rises above $7.25.
Sources
- Kentucky Legislative Research Commission: KRS 337.275 Minimum wage (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: State Minimum Wage Laws (updated 1 July 2026) (Internet Archive snapshot of 2 October 2026) (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)) |
Kentucky 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | Yes | $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ 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 |
| Indiana | Yes | $7.25 per hour | Employers may pay $4.25 per hour to employees under 20 years of age for the first 90 consecutive calendar days after the employee is initially employed by the employer. | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Missouri | Yes | $15.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Ohio | Yes (state law) | $11.00 per hour (larger employers) | Federal $7.25 for ages 14-15 and small businesses | 1 January 2027 | $11.40 per hour |
| Tennessee | No state minimum wage | Federal $7.25 per hour | — | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Virginia | Yes (state law) | $12.77 per hour | Trainees (up to 90 days): 75% of state wage or federal | 1 January 2027 | $13.75 per hour |
| West Virginia | Yes (state law) | $8.75 per hour | $6.40 training wage under 20 for 90 days | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Kentucky
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Class B misdemeanour, max 45 days · Growing at home: No (licensed cultivators only)
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 35 mph · 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: 15 (instruction permit)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (registered sellers) · Minimum age to buy: 18
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Ordinary pocket knife: not a deadly weapon · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule; "ordinary pocket knife" test
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: No (texting banned) · Hands-free use: Calls not restricted
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, all occupants (vehicles built after 1981) · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, all occupants (vehicles built after 1981)
- 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 (purchase and possession) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (purchase and possession)
- 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.