2015 Arkansas Minimum Wage
The 2015 Arkansas Minimum Wage is $7.50.
Effective 2015-01-01Source: Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)Verified 2026-09-01
Who it applies to
Employers and employees subject to the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act
What changed this year, and why
The Arkansas minimum wage increased to $7.50 per hour
Common questions
- What was the minimum wage in Arkansas in 2015?
- The minimum wage was $7.50 per hour in 2015.
- When did this rate take effect?
- January 1, 2015
Minors, students and training wages: who may be paid less than the rate on this page
Arkansas law allows certain categories of workers to be paid less than the standard $7.50 hourly minimum wage. Full-time students may receive a subminimum wage of at least 85% of the applicable rate, but only if the employer first obtains a full-time student certificate from the Arkansas Department of Labor. The student must attend an accredited educational institution in Arkansas on a full-time basis, and the employer cannot work the student more than 20 hours per week when school is in session or more than 40 hours per week during breaks. The certificate must be secured before the student begins work at the reduced rate, and it remains valid for one year from the date of issuance. Without this certificate in hand, the employer must pay the full $7.50 per hour. Workers with disabilities, apprentices, and learners may also qualify for subminimum rates under separate provisions, but each requires prior departmental authorization.
An employer may pay a full-time student a sub-minimum wage of not less than eight-five percent (85%) of the applicable minimum wage rate, provided the following conditions are met: a. The employer has, in advance of employment at less than the applicable minimum wage rate, a full-time student certificate issued by the department; b. The full-time student attends an accredited institu- tion of education within the State of Arkansas on a full-time basis in accordance with the institution’s definitions; c. The employer does not employ the student more than twenty (20) hours per week during times school is in session and not more than forty (40) hours per week during times school is not in session; and d. Notwithstanding paragraph (c) above, the employer does not employ the student in violation of any ap- plicable child labor laws.
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Arkansas law provides that employees can file claims about minimum wage and overtime violations with the Director of the Arkansas Department of Labor. An employee who believes their employer has violated the minimum wage or overtime laws can file a claim on a form or process approved by the division. The division must promptly investigate each claim and, at the conclusion of the investigation, either issue a Notice of Assessment detailing any violations and penalties, or advise the employer and employee in writing that no violation was found. The name of any employee who files a claim is kept confidential until the director issues a Notice of Assessment. Employers who violate the law may face civil penalties. The Arkansas Department of Labor's Labor Standards Division is located at 10421 West Markham Street, Little Rock, AR 72205, and can be reached by telephone at (501) 682-4500. Workers with questions about the minimum wage or who need to file a complaint should contact this office directly.
The mailing address and telephone number for the Labor Standards Division is: Labor Standards Division Arkansas Department of Labor 10421 West Markham Street Little Rock, AR 72205 (501) 682-4500
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
The department may rely on federal Fair Labor Standards Act precedent when interpreting Arkansas minimum wage rules. The Arkansas Department of Labor follows U.S. Department of Labor interpretations and federal court decisions in applying the state's minimum wage and overtime provisions, unless a different interpretation is clearly required by Arkansas law. This means that in Arkansas, guidance from federal regulations and case law helps shape how the state's $7.50 hourly minimum wage is enforced, even though the state rate is set independently. For workers in Arkansas, this integration with federal interpretation can provide additional clarity on coverage and exemptions, though the Arkansas rate itself remains the binding standard for employers operating in the state. The department has authority to promulgate rules under Arkansas Code Annotated § 11-4-209(a) and follows the Arkansas Administrative Procedure Act in its rulemaking process.
The department may rely on the interpretations of the U. S. Department of Labor and federal precedent established under the Fair Labor Standards Act in interpreting and applying the provisions of the Act and Rule 010.14-100 through -113, except to the extent a different interpretation is clearly required.
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
Under Arkansas law, employers in certain industries may count tips toward the minimum wage obligation. For occupations where tips are customarily recognized—such as waiters, waitresses, bellhops, beauty operators, and barbers—the employer may take a tip credit, meaning the employer pays a lower cash wage and the employee's tips make up the difference to reach the full minimum wage. However, the employee must actually receive enough in tips to bring total compensation to at least $7.50 per hour. The tip credit is available only for hours worked in the tipped occupation. If an employee spends 20 minutes or more in any work that is not a tipped occupation, the employer must pay the full $7.50 per hour for that entire hour without using any tip credit. Tips must be voluntarily given by customers; a compulsory service charge imposed by the employer is not a tip. Employers who require tips to be turned over to the business must pay the full minimum wage directly.
The tip credit is only available for those occupation in which tips have been “customarily and usually” recognized as part of the remuneration for hiring purposes. This includes waiters, waitresses, bellhops, beauty operators, and barbers, provided they actually receive and retain tips. For any other occupation, it will be “customarily and usually” recognized as part of the remuneration for hiring purposes if the em- ployee actually receives tips in excess of $20 per month.
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
What an employer may deduct from your pay
Arkansas law restricts what employers can deduct from employee wages. An employer cannot make deductions from the minimum wage or overtime pay except those specifically authorized by the rules, deductions required by law (such as taxes), or deductions that are for the employee's benefit and authorized in writing by the employee. Specifically, employers in Arkansas cannot deduct from wages for items such as spoilage or breakage, cash or inventory shortages, or fines and penalties for lateness, misconduct, or quitting without notice. Deductions that are allowed include those for items the employee voluntarily purchases, such as U.S. savings bonds, charitable contributions, insurance premiums paid to independent companies where the employer receives no profit, and union dues—but only when the employee has authorized them in writing. Any deduction that would reduce an employee's pay below the $7.50 minimum wage is prohibited unless it falls within one of the narrow exceptions. Workers who believe improper deductions have been made from their pay should contact the Arkansas Department of Labor.
An employer may not make deductions from the applicable minimum wage rate for such items, including but not limited to the following: spoilage or breakage; cash or inventory shortages or losses; and fines or penalties for lateness, misconduct, or quitting by an employee without notice.
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
Under the Arkansas Minimum Wage Act, the regular hourly rate for most non-exempt employees is $7.50. An employer that pays a lower rate must instead apply the federal floor, which is higher, so workers in Arkansas are entitled to at least the federal amount when it exceeds the state rate. This rule exists because the state statute only sets a floor; it does not override the higher federal wage when the federal floor is greater. The Arkansas Department of Labor may also look to federal interpretations and precedent from the Fair Labor Standards Act when applying the Act, which reinforces the principle that the more protective rate governs. For employees covered by both laws in Arkansas, the higher of the two rates controls, and because the federal minimum exceeds the state minimum of $7.50 in 2015, workers must be paid at the federal level. Employers who fail to pay the applicable minimum are subject to enforcement action by the department.
010.14-112 Interpretation And Application of Rules The department may rely on the interpretations of the U. S. Department of Labor and federal precedent established under the Fair Labor Standards Act in interpreting and applying the provisions of the Act and Rule 010.14-100 through -113, except to the extent a different interpretation is clearly required.
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
How the rate is adjusted each year, and who announces it
In Arkansas, the state minimum wage rate is adjusted periodically through voter-approved initiatives rather than automatic annual inflation adjustments. The Arkansas Minimum Wage Initiative, Issue 5, approved by voters on November 4, 2014, established a schedule of increases: $7.50 per hour effective January 1, 2015, with further increases scheduled for subsequent years. The Arkansas Department of Labor administers and enforces the rate. Workers in Arkansas are entitled to the rate specified for each effective date, and employers must update their pay practices accordingly. This initiative-based approach sets specific rates for specific dates rather than tying adjustments to a consumer price index or other inflation measure.
The Arkansas Minimum Wage Initiative, Issue 5, was approved by the voters at the general election on November 4,2014. It increased the state minimum wage rate to $7.50 per hour effective January 1, 2015.
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Administrative Regulations of the Labor Standards Division of the Arkansas Department of Labor (Arkansas Department of Labor)
- Hourly
It increased the state minimum wage rate to $7.50 per hour effective January 1, 2015.
Other years
Every Arkansas Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state