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Kentucky: minimum wage

Each state's current minimum hourly wage and whether the federal $7.25 rate is what applies.

Checked on official source
State minimum wage$7.25
Is the federal $7.25 the rate that applies?Yes
Next scheduled changeNo change scheduled

Where state and federal minimums differ, you get the higher one. Some cities and counties set higher rates, and tipped, youth and training rates differ.

General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Exceptions can apply. Confirm with the state agency, the court or a licensed professional in Kentucky.

How Kentucky compares

$7.25 ranks 32 of 46 (1 = highest) for state minimum wage.

Lowest $5.15Highest $18.40

Alaska: $14.00AKMaine: $15.10MEVermont: $14.42VTNew Hampshire: $7.25NHWashington: $17.13WAIdaho: $7.25IDMontana: $10.85 (larger businesses)MTNorth Dakota: $7.25NDMinnesota: $11.41MNIllinois: $15.00 (employers with 4 or more workers)ILWisconsin: $7.25WIMichigan: $13.73 (rising to $15.00 on January 1, 2027)MINew York: $17.00 (NYC, Long Island, Westchester); $16.00 elsewhereNYRhode Island: $16.00RIMassachusetts: $15.00MAOregon: $15.55 standard; $16.80 Portland metro; $14.55 rural countiesORNevada: $12.00NVWyoming: $5.15 (federal $7.25 applies to most employers)WYSouth Dakota: $11.85SDIowa: $7.25IAIndiana: $7.25INOhio: $11.00 (larger employers); $7.25 (smaller)OHPennsylvania: $7.25PANew Jersey: $15.92NJConnecticut: $16.94CTCalifornia: $16.90CAUtah: $7.25UTColorado: $15.16CONebraska: $15.00 (employers with 4 or more workers)NEMissouri: $15.00MOKentucky: $7.25KYWest Virginia: $8.75 (employers with 6 or more workers)WVVirginia: $12.77VAMaryland: $15.00MDDelaware: $15.00DEArizona: $15.15AZNew Mexico: $12.00NMKansas: $7.25KSArkansas: $11.00 (employers with 4 or more workers)ARTennessee: No state minimum; federal $7.25 appliesTNNorth Carolina: $7.25NCSouth Carolina: No state minimum; federal $7.25 appliesSCDistrict of Columbia: $18.40DCOklahoma: $7.25OKLouisiana: No state minimum; federal $7.25 appliesLAMississippi: No state minimum; federal $7.25 appliesMSAlabama: No state minimum; federal $7.25 appliesALGeorgia: $5.15 (federal $7.25 applies to most employers)GAHawaii: $16.00HITexas: $7.25TXFlorida: $15.00FL
  • $5.15 – $7.25 (15)
  • $8.75 – $11 (4)
  • $11.41 – $15 (15)
  • $15.10 – $15.16 (3)
  • $15.55 – $18.40 (9)
  • Federal $7.25 applies (5)

Also for Kentucky: Workers' comp deadlines in Kentucky · Workers' comp benefits in Kentucky · Paid leave programs in Kentucky · Final paycheck rules in Kentucky · Unemployment benefits in Kentucky · Meal break laws in Kentucky · Tipped minimum wage in Kentucky · Payday frequency in Kentucky · Rest break laws in Kentucky · All Kentucky rules on one page

How we checked this

Rates come from the U.S. Department of Labor's state minimum wage table, updated November 5, 2026. Scheduled 2027 changes match two independent 2027 rate tables (October 2026). Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.

Cross-checked sources agree   Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site   Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data   Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.