Minimum Wage in Tennessee
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Tennessee enforces the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour and does not set a higher state minimum.
How Tennessee treats Minimum Wage
Tennessee has no state minimum wage law above the federal requirement, meaning employers must comply with the $7.25 federal floor. Tipped employees may be paid $2.13 per hour if gratuities meet the federal minimum threshold. Tennessee defers entirely to federal wage standards without imposing additional state-level requirements.
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 Tennessee.