Current minimum wage in Kentucky
Kentucky's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal minimum. Tipped workers can be paid $2.13 an hour in cash wages, and a 2016 Kentucky Supreme Court ruling struck down Louisville's attempt to set a higher local rate.
The rate rose from $6.55 (effective July 1, 2008) to $7.25 on July 1, 2009, an increase of $0.70 an hour or $1,456 a year for a full-time worker.
Next scheduled change
No increase is scheduled; the rate would change only if Congress raises the federal minimum wage.
Tipped minimum wage
Employers may pay tipped employees a cash wage of $2.13 an hour and count tips toward the rest, as long as total pay reaches $7.25 an hour. The federal tipped cash wage is $2.13. Employers may pay tipped workers $2.13 an hour in cash if tips bring total pay to at least $7.25; otherwise the employer must make up the difference.
What minimum wage pays in Kentucky
| Hours per week | Weekly pay | Yearly pay |
|---|---|---|
| 20 hours | $145.00 | $7,540 |
| 25 hours | $181.25 | $9,425 |
| 30 hours | $217.50 | $11,310 |
| 35 hours | $253.75 | $13,195 |
| 40 hours | $290.00 | $15,080 |
After federal and Kentucky taxes, a full-time minimum wage worker who files single keeps about $13,516 a year, or $520 per biweekly check. Run your own numbers with the Kentucky paycheck calculator or see the full breakdown for $8 an hour.
Overtime rules
Follows the federal 40-hour weekly overtime rule.
City and county minimum wages
A 2016 Kentucky Supreme Court ruling blocked local minimum wages, so none are in effect.
Exceptions and special rates
Under federal law, employers may pay workers under 20 a youth wage of $4.25 an hour during their first 90 days on the job.
How Kentucky compares
Kentucky ranks #32 of 51 for its minimum wage, tied with 19 other states at the same rate. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Kentucky in 2026?
Kentucky uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour for most workers.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Kentucky?
Employers in Kentucky may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.13 an hour, as long as tips bring total pay to at least $7.25. Employers may pay tipped workers $2.13 an hour in cash if tips bring total pay to at least $7.25; otherwise the employer must make up the difference.
When does the Kentucky minimum wage go up next?
No increase is scheduled; the rate would change only if Congress raises the federal minimum wage.
How much is minimum wage in Kentucky per year?
At $7.25 an hour, a 40-hour week pays $290 and a full year pays $15,080 before taxes. A single filer keeps about $13,516 after federal and Kentucky taxes.
How does overtime work in Kentucky?
Follows the federal 40-hour weekly overtime rule.