Statutory minimum wage in Texas (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Texas sets a state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal rate. The state law excludes employment that is subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
| 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 | The Texas Minimum Wage Act does not apply to persons covered by the federal FLSA. It also exempts persons under 18 who are not high school or vocational-programme graduates and persons under 20 who are regularly enrolled students (except piece-rate agricultural workers). [2] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | $2.13 per hour cash wage, as under federal law; wage plus tips must reach $7.25. Tipped means more than $20 a month in tips. [3] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | No. The state minimum wage supersedes any wage set by a local ordinance, order or charter for private employment, except wages under public contracts. [2] |
Notes
- The state adopts or sets $7.25, the same as the federal rate. The state law excludes employment that is subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
- 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
- Texas Legislature: Texas Labor Code chapter 62, Minimum Wage (consulted 10 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)) |
Texas 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) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | Exempts some under-18s and under-20 students | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Arkansas | Yes | $11.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Louisiana | No | Federal $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| New Mexico | Yes | $12.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Oklahoma | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour (larger employers) | No age bands; $2.00 per hour for small employers | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Texas
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence (misdemeanour)
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 70 mph; 60 mph on unnumbered roads
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (Class C, after 6 months on permit) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 (learner licence)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 15
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (no bottle rockets) · Minimum age to buy: 16
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: No carry ban for blades up to 5.5 in · Locking or one-handed knives: No separate rule
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: No (texting only) · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- 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 (minors may not buy) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (minors may not buy)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: Zero (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.