Statutory minimum wage in Tennessee (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Tennessee has no state minimum wage law. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | No [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $7.25 per hour [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | No state minimum wage law. Employers covered by the federal FLSA must pay at least $2.13 per hour cash wage, with tips making up $7.25. [2] |
Notes
- The page says there is no state minimum wage law. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the federal minimum wage.
- This is the federal rate that covered employers must pay; the state has no rate of its own.
- No scheduled change for the next year was confirmed from an official source read for this page.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: State Minimum Wage Laws (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees, table revised 1 July 2026 (Internet Archive snapshot of 4 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)) |
Tennessee 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | No state minimum wage | Federal $7.25 per hour | — | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Alabama | No state minimum wage law | Federal $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Arkansas | Yes | $11.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Georgia | Yes | $5.15 per hour (state; federal $7.25) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kentucky | Yes | $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Missouri | Yes | $15.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Mississippi | No | Federal $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| North Carolina | Yes | $7.25 per hour | 90% for students, learners, apprentices | ⚠ 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 |
More rules in Tennessee
- Car speed limitsOutside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph (unless posted)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (intermediate restricted licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes where county/city allows sale · Minimum age to buy: 16 (16-17 need photo ID or an adult)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Knives no longer in the go-armed offence (2014) · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule; knives deleted from (a)(1) in 2014
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Only passengers under 18
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.