Minimum Wage in Minnesota
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Minnesota enforces a $12.85 minimum wage for large employers and $11.85 for small employers as of 2024, adjusted annually.
How Minnesota treats Minimum Wage
Minnesota distinguishes between large employers (those with annual gross revenues exceeding $500,000) and small employers, applying different minimum wage rates to each group. Both rates adjust annually for inflation. Tipped employees must receive the full applicable minimum wage; employers cannot use tips to satisfy the wage requirement. The state's dual-rate system creates complexity but generally favors workers with higher wage floors than the federal standard.
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 Minnesota.