Wyoming Minimum Wage 2026: $7.25 Federal Rate ($5.15 State Law)
Wyoming's state minimum wage statute still says $5.15 per hour, but the federal $7.25 applies to almost every employer in 2026. Who the $5.15 rate can legally apply to, the $2.13 tipped cash wage, overtime rules, local preemption, and what a full-time minimum wage worker earns.
Wyoming's minimum wage is effectively $7.25 per hour in 2026. The state statute sets a rate of $5.15 per hour, one of only two such rates in the country (Georgia is the other), but the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires $7.25 for nearly every employer, and the higher rate always wins. Tipped employees can be paid a cash wage of $2.13 per hour plus tips. No increase is scheduled at the state level.
- Wyoming's state law sets $5.15 per hour, but the federal $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered employers, which is almost all of them
- Tipped employees can be paid $2.13 in cash wages, with tips required to reach $7.25
- The $5.15 rate can only apply to the rare employer and employee outside FLSA coverage
- Wyoming has no state overtime law for private employers; the federal 40-hour rule applies
- No increase is scheduled and no bill has advanced
Current Wyoming Minimum Wage
Wyoming Statute 27-4-202 sets the state minimum wage at $5.15 per hour, a figure unchanged since 2001. The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services' employer FAQ states the rate plainly: "$5.15 per hour. It does not vary by employee type or schedule." The US Department of Labor's state minimum wage table lists Wyoming at $5.15 with the note that the federal minimum of $7.25 applies to FLSA-covered work.
In practice, $7.25 is the rate. The FLSA covers any enterprise with $500,000 or more in annual sales and any employee who engages in interstate commerce, which includes handling out-of-state phone calls, shipments, or card payments. An employer must pay the higher of the state or federal rate, so the $5.15 figure only matters for a small, purely local business whose employees never touch interstate commerce. Employers should assume $7.25.
Wyoming Minimum Wage vs Federal Minimum Wage
| Rate | Wyoming | Federal (FLSA) |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | $7.25 per hour | $7.25 per hour |
| Tipped cash wage | $2.13 | $2.13 |
| Difference | Same as federal | Baseline |
| Last changed | See schedule below | July 24, 2009 |
When state and federal rates differ, the employer must pay the higher one for any employee covered by both laws. Because Wyoming's rate equals the federal minimum, the practical rate is $7.25 for nearly every worker, and the state law matters mainly for the employers and rules it covers that the FLSA does not. The federal rate has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009, and there is no scheduled federal increase. Our minimum wage by state guide compares every state.
Tipped Minimum Wage in Wyoming
Wyoming allows a tip credit. Under state law and the federal FLSA, tipped employees may be paid a cash wage of $2.13 per hour, with tips making up the difference to the applicable minimum wage. For FLSA-covered employers that means a tip credit of up to $5.12 against the $7.25 federal rate; the US Department of Labor's tipped wage table lists Wyoming at $2.13 cash and $5.12 credit.
If cash wages plus tips fall short of $7.25 for any hour worked, the employer must pay the difference. Wyoming uses the federal $30-a-month threshold to define a tipped employee.
| Item | Wyoming (2026) | Federal |
|---|---|---|
| Full minimum wage | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped employees | $2.13 | $2.13 |
| Maximum tip credit | $5.12 | $5.12 |
Wyoming Minimum Wage Increase Schedule
| Effective date | Minimum wage |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $7.25 federal ($5.15 state) |
| 2022 | $7.25 federal ($5.15 state) |
| 2023 | $7.25 federal ($5.15 state) |
| 2024 | $7.25 federal ($5.15 state) |
| 2025 | $7.25 federal ($5.15 state) |
| 2026 | $7.25 federal ($5.15 state) |
No increase is scheduled. The state rate would change only if the Wyoming Legislature amended W.S. 27-4-202, and bills to raise it have been introduced without success. The effective rate for most employers would change if Congress raised the federal minimum wage.
Local Minimum Wages in Wyoming
Wyoming law does not authorize cities or counties to set a minimum wage, and none has. Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, and Jackson all follow the federal $7.25 rate. Jackson employers often pay well above the minimum because of the local labor market, but no ordinance requires it.
How Wyoming Compares to Neighboring States
Employers that hire across state lines, or compete for workers with employers over the border, should know how Wyoming compares. Rates below are the US Department of Labor's figures as of July 1, 2026.
| State | 2026 minimum wage | Tipped cash wage |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | $10.85 | Full minimum wage (no tip credit) |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | $5.93 |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | $2.13 |
| Colorado | $15.16 | $12.14 |
| Utah | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Idaho | $7.25 | $3.35 |
| Wyoming | $7.25 | $2.13 |
Utah and Idaho pay the same rate as Wyoming, while Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska and Colorado pay more, which is why employers near those borders often pay above the legal minimum to compete for staff. Remote employees are generally owed the minimum wage of the state where they physically work, not where the employer is based, so a Wyoming company with staff in a neighboring state must apply that state's rate to those employees.
Who Is Covered and Who Is Exempt
Two layers apply. The federal FLSA covers employees of enterprises with $500,000 or more in annual sales, plus hospitals, schools, and public agencies, plus any employee individually engaged in interstate commerce. Those employees are owed $7.25 and overtime after 40 hours. Wyoming's statute covers the remainder at $5.15, with its own exemptions:
- Agricultural employees
- Domestic service workers
- Outside salespeople
- Bona fide executive, administrative, and professional employees
- Employees of nonprofit organizations in certain roles
- Minors and students in specific circumstances
Because the federal rate is higher and federal coverage is broad, the safe assumption is that every Wyoming employee is owed $7.25 unless a specific federal exemption applies. Our exempt vs non-exempt guide explains the federal salary and duties tests.
Overtime and the Minimum Wage
Wyoming has no general state overtime law for private employers. The Department of Workforce Services notes that the state only requires time and a half on public works projects, for hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week. Private employers covered by the FLSA owe federal overtime after 40 hours.
Here is what a 45-hour week costs at the Wyoming minimum wage under the 40-hour rule:
| Line | Hours | Rate | Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular hours | 40 | $7.25 | $290.00 |
| Overtime hours | 5 | $10.88 (1.5x) | $54.38 |
| Gross pay for the week | 45 | $344.38 |
Overtime must be calculated on the employee's regular rate, which includes shift differentials and non-discretionary bonuses, not just the base wage. See our guide to overtime pay laws in the US and use the overtime calculator to check a specific week.
What a Minimum Wage Worker Earns in Wyoming
| Basis | Hourly | Weekly (40 hours) | Monthly (173.33 hours) | Annual (2,080 hours) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full minimum wage | $7.25 | $290.00 | $1,256.64 | $15,080.00 |
| Tipped cash wage only | $2.13 | $85.20 | $369.19 | $4,430.40 |
These are gross figures before taxes and deductions, and they assume a full 40-hour week with no unpaid time off. A tipped employee's total pay must reach at least the full minimum wage row once tips are added. To convert a different hourly rate, use the salary to hourly calculator, and see our explainer on gross pay for what is included before deductions.
Employer Compliance Checklist
- Pay at least $7.25 per hour for every hour worked, including training, meetings, and time spent waiting or on call at the workplace
- If you take a tip credit, give written notice, track tips by pay period, and make up any shortfall to $7.25
- Display the required state and federal minimum wage posters where employees can see them
- Pay overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek, and never average hours across weeks
- Keep accurate time records for at least three years; a time card calculator helps verify weekly totals before payroll runs
- Review exempt classifications against the salary and duties tests; a job title alone does not make an employee exempt
- Check the labor law compliance hub for related state rules on breaks, leave, and final pay
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Wyoming in 2026?
Effectively $7.25 per hour. Wyoming's statute says $5.15, but the federal $7.25 rate applies to nearly every employer, and the higher rate governs.
Can a Wyoming employer legally pay $5.15 per hour?
Only if neither the employer nor the employee is covered by the federal FLSA, which is rare. Any business with $500,000 or more in annual sales, or any employee who handles interstate commerce, is owed $7.25.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Wyoming?
$2.13 per hour in cash wages. Tips must bring the employee to at least $7.25 per hour.
Is Wyoming raising its minimum wage?
No. No increase is scheduled and bills to raise the state rate have not passed.
Does Wyoming require overtime?
Not for private employers under state law. The federal FLSA requires time and a half after 40 hours for non-exempt employees, and public works projects have a state daily overtime rule.
Does Jackson or Cheyenne have a local minimum wage?
No. Wyoming has no local minimum wage ordinances.
How much does a full-time minimum wage worker earn in Wyoming?
$290 a week and $15,080 a year before taxes at $7.25 per hour, based on 2,080 hours.
Sources
- Wyoming DWS, Labor Standards employer FAQ
- Wyoming DWS, Your Rights as a Worker
- US DOL, State Minimum Wage Laws (July 1, 2026)
- US Department of Labor, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees
Reviewed September 2026
Rates and rules on this page were checked against the US Department of Labor's state minimum wage tables (effective July 1, 2026) and the Wyoming sources listed above. Minimum wage laws change through legislation, ballot measures, indexing, and court decisions. Confirm the current rate with the state labor agency before setting pay, and see our labor law compliance guides for related rules.
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