Hourly Minimum Wage in Kentucky
The state-wide minimum wage for Kentucky is $7.25 per hour as of January 01, 2018.
Hourly Minimum Wage for Kentucky and neighboring states in 2026
| Location | Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| Minimum WageFederal |
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| Minimum WageKY |
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| Minimum WageIN |
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| Minimum WageTN |
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| Minimum WageWV |
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Kentucky minimum wage rate is $7.25 per hour in 2026. Workers receive a lower minimum wage in Kentucky that exceeds the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25. The Kentucky minimum wage applies to most employees, with limited exceptions, including certain tipped employees, students or part-time workers, and other exempt occupations. The top 5 minimum wage states in the U.S. are District of Columbia, Washington, Connecticut, California, and Hawaii.
The federal minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour and has not increased since 2009. Demand for a living wage that is fair to workers is rising. In response to this rising demand, numerous states, cities, and other localities have already enacted or will change minimum wage levels. In the few states with no established minimum wage, the current federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour will continue to apply.
Based on local legislation, many states have already enacted minimum wage increases or approved increases due for implementation at a future date.
These ever-changing laws, effective dates, and methodologies result in minimum wages that may change at different times or differ dramatically within a state or region. Minimum wage changes can be triggered for a location when these pre-determined conditions change and require careful monitoring to ensure compliance to the latest wage levels.
Salary.com continuously tracks all these complex changes. We can help to keep you informed about future changes and stay up to date on the latest minimum wage levels in your essential locations. Show me more data to view U.S. state minimum wages for future years.
Browse Minimum Wage by Year, and Forecast Minimum Wage Increase Trends in Kentucky
The minimum wages in some states are higher than the federal minimum wage in 2026, including District of Columbia, Washington, Connecticut, California, and others. Many of the minimum wage increases were effective on January 01, 2018. Some states have effective dates occurring at different months of the year. Check the chart to stay up to date on the hourly minimum wage in Kentucky.
View upcoming minimum wage changes to be on top of future changes to the minimum wage in your location.
Hourly Minimum Wage for Tipped Employees in Kentucky
| Group | Minimum Wage |
|---|---|
| CategoryFederal Non-tipped |
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| Minimum WageKY Non-tipped |
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| Minimum WageCurrent Tipped |
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| Minimum WageFuture Tipped |
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The tipped minimum wage is the lowest amount employers can pay an employee in occupations such as a bartender or server, that regularly receive more than $30 a month in tips. In some states, the tipped minimum wage may be lower than the non-tipped minimum wage because employers can claim a tip credit.
It is important to note that the tipped minimum wage can vary depending on where your business is and the size of the business. In some states, the tipped minimum wage is equal to the overall minimum wage for that state. In some locations, the federal tipped minimum wage applies. In other locations, the state-tipped minimum wage is set above the federal minimum. Tipped minimum wages may vary from state to state and can be frequently adjusted, making it essential to stay informed about the latest wage levels.
In Kentucky, the tipped minimum wage is the same as the state minimum wage. It may be subject to adjustment based on other criteria, such as the size of the business.
See tipped data learn more about tipped and non-tipped minimum wage in Kentucky.
What is the minimum wage in Kentucky in 2026?
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Minimum Wage by State in 2026
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming