Kentucky Minimum Wage
Kentucky's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's State Minimum Wage Laws table, updated November 5, 2026.
- Rate in effect
- $7.25
- Federal minimum
- $7.25
- Full-time year
- $15,080
- State rank
- Tied 32nd of 51
Local ordinances and sector rates can be higher where state law allows them, and are not shown here. To confirm a local or sector rate, use the state agency listed on the Department of Labor's State Labor Offices page.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated 2026-11-05. Checked against NCSL state minimum wage table (as of 2026-07-01); EPI 2026 table where listed. A full-time year is 2,080 hours, the convention BLS uses. Confirm the rate in the Department of Labor table. Table read November 10, 2026; rechecked on the January 1 and July 1 statutory change dates, next on January 1, 2027. Scheduled rates are shown where the Department of Labor or the state's own agency publishes one we could read; a state showing none may still have one, so check its labor office.
How does Kentucky's minimum wage compare with the federal rate?
The rate in effect in Kentucky is the federal minimum of $7.25. 19 other states are at the same rate.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Kentucky?
Employers in Kentucky can pay tipped workers a cash wage of $2.13 an hour and count a tip credit of up to $5.12 toward the $7.25 combined rate. The table counts as tipped an employee who receives more than $30 a month in tips.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees, updated November 5, 2026.
How does the minimum compare with pay in Kentucky?
The lowest-paid tenth of jobs in Kentucky paid $13.45 an hour or less in May 2025, so the current minimum equals 54% of that line and 32% of the state's median hourly pay of $22.56.
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025, all occupations, hourly; minimum wage as listed on November 5, 2026. The wage figures are from May 2025, so a rate raised since then can sit above them. Confirm the wage figures in the OEWS tables at bls.gov.
Which occupations in Kentucky pay closest to the minimum?
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers have the 10th-percentile wage closest to $7.25, at $7.63 an hour, among occupations with at least 100 jobs.
| Occupation | 10th percentile | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $7.63 | $12.66 | 3,350 |
| Bartenders | $7.75 | $13.84 | 6,870 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $7.94 | $14.26 | 27,150 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $8.73 | $13.08 | 3,190 |
| Broadcast Technicians | $8.90 | $19.35 | 230 |
| Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers | $9.00 | $12.46 | 1,110 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $9.21 | $13.03 | 5,120 |
| Residential Advisors | $9.43 | $14.55 | 1,580 |
| School Bus Monitors | $9.53 | $13.57 | 370 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $9.59 | $11.48 | 450 |
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025, hourly wages. Confirm in the OEWS tables at bls.gov.