About half of all states in the U.S. increased their minimum wage at the start of the year, or will do so later in 2024.
Wisconsin isn’t one of them — it remains one of 20 states that’ll keep its minimum wage at $7.25, the federal minimum.
Despite lawmakers’ attempts to find solutions to workforce shortages, and Democratic Gov. Tony Evers declaring 2024 the “Year of the Worker,” historically there hasn’t been much momentum in the state to increase the minimum wage.
But why is that? How does Wisconsin’s minimum wage compare to other states? How has the amount been affected by inflation?
Here’s a guide to some of those most-asked questions:
What is Wisconsin’s minimum wage?
Wisconsin’s minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Young workers under age 20 can be paid a $5.90 “opportunity wage” during the first 90 days of employment.
There’s also a minimum wage of $2.33 for workers who receive tips in Wisconsin. If tips, combined with that hourly rate, don’t total $7.25, the employer must cover the difference.