2016 Iowa Minimum Wage
The 2016 Iowa Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2016-01-01Source: Wage Claims FAQ (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)Verified 2026-09-01
Who it applies to
Employees covered by the Iowa Minimum Wage Law
What changed this year, and why
The statewide minimum wage in Iowa for 2016.
Common questions
- What was the minimum wage in Iowa in 2016?
- The minimum wage in Iowa in 2016 was $7.25 per hour.
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
In Iowa, workers who have questions about the minimum wage rate or who believe their employer is not paying the correct wage should contact the appropriate labor office. For questions about Iowa's minimum wage laws, contact the Iowa Division of Labor. For questions about federal wage laws or to file a claim related to federal minimum wage or overtime, contact the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division at 515-284-4625. Workers who believe they are owed wages not exceeding $6,500.00 can file a wage claim with the DIAL by printing a Wage Claim form in English or Spanish, or requesting a form be mailed by calling 515-725-5619. Workers also have the right to pursue their claim on their own behalf in court. The Iowa minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
If you believe you are owed wages not exceeding $6,500.00, you can file a wage claim with the DIAL. Print a Wage Claim in English or Spanish or request a form be mailed to you by calling 515-725-5619. You also have the right to pursue your claim on your own behalf in court. If your claim has to do with federal minimum wage or overtime you may contact the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division at 515-284-4625.
Wage Claims FAQ (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
In Iowa, employers may pay tipped employees who earn $30 or more per month in tips a cash wage of $4.35 per hour, rather than the full minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. However, if the employee's combined cash wage and tips do not average at least $7.25 per hour for any work week, the employer must make up the difference. This means the employer cannot rely solely on the lower cash wage if the tips are insufficient to bring the employee's total earnings up to the minimum wage level. The tips themselves serve as a credit toward meeting the minimum wage requirement. Workers in Iowa who have questions about these wage rules or who believe their employer is not following them should contact the Iowa Division of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour office for guidance.
If you make $30 per month or more in tips, the employer may pay as little as $4.35 per hour. If in any work week the wage the employer pays you and the tips you receive do not average at least $7.25 per hour, the employer is required to pay the difference.
Wage Claims FAQ (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)
What an employer may deduct from your pay
In Iowa, employers may deduct certain items from an employee's wages, but there are strict limits on what can and cannot be deducted. Employers can deduct taxes, garnishments, and deductions for lawful purposes that benefit the employee if the employee has given written authorization (such as insurance, 401K, pensions, bonds, and savings programs). However, employers cannot deduct cash shortages in common money till, losses due to breakage or damage, acceptance of bad checks, default of customer credit (except in limited cases), lost or stolen property (unless certain conditions are met), or personal protective equipment (in most cases). These rules are found in Iowa Code Chapter 91A.5, which outlines specific exceptions. Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and any deductions that would reduce an employee's pay below this rate for non-exempt deductions are generally prohibited. Workers in Iowa who believe unlawful deductions have been made from their wages should contact the Iowa Division of Labor to file a complaint.
Items on the following list can be deducted from wages. Taxes Garnishments Deductions for any lawful purpose accruing to the benefit of the employee if the employee has given written authorization for the deduction (for example, insurance, 401K, pensions, bonds and savings programs). Items on the following list cannot be deducted: Cash shortages in common money till. Losses due to breakage, damage, acceptance of bad checks, and default of customer credit except in certain limited cases. Lost or stolen property unless certain conditions are met. Personal protective equipment in most cases. For exceptions see Iowa Code Chapter 91A.5.
Wage Claims FAQ (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)
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.
Wage Claims FAQ (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)
- Hourly
What is the current minimum wage? $7.25 per hour.
Other years
Every Iowa Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state