Minimum Wage in Iowa
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Iowa's minimum wage is $11.00 per hour as of 2024, adjusted annually for inflation.
How Iowa treats Minimum Wage
Iowa sets its own minimum wage above the federal floor and adjusts it each year based on the Consumer Price Index. The state applies the same minimum wage to all employees, including tipped workers, who must receive the full amount before tips count toward wages. Iowa's approach ensures that tipped employees receive stronger wage protections than the federal tipped minimum wage allows.
The general definition of Minimum Wage
The lowest hourly wage an employer is legally required to pay employees.
Minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate that employers must pay workers by law. The federal minimum wage in the United States is currently $7.25 per hour, but many states and cities have set their own higher minimums. Employers cannot pay workers less than the applicable minimum wage, even if the worker agrees to it. The minimum wage applies to most employees, though some categories (like certain trainees or workers with disabilities) may have exceptions. Violations can result in lawsuits, penalties, and back-pay owed to employees.
Read the full Minimum Wage entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Iowa.