2017 Iowa Minimum Wage
The 2017 Iowa Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2017-01-01Source: Wage Claims FAQ (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2016
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2016.
| Item | 2016 | 2017 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Employees and employers in Iowa subject to the Iowa Minimum Wage Law.
What changed this year, and why
The hourly minimum wage in Iowa for 2017 is published.
Common questions
- What was the minimum wage in Iowa in 2017?
- The minimum wage in Iowa in 2017 was $7.25 per hour.
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
In Iowa, workers who believe they are owed unpaid wages can file a wage claim with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) if the amount does not exceed $6,500. Workers can print a Wage Claim form in English or Spanish, or request that a form be mailed by calling 515-725-5619. Iowa employees also retain the right to pursue their claim directly in court. For matters involving federal minimum wage or overtime, the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, can be reached at 515-284-4625. This means that Iowa workers with minimum wage complaints have both a state agency and a federal office to contact, depending on whether the claim arises under Iowa or federal law. The DIAL process is available for claims of $6,500 or less; larger amounts must be pursued through the courts.
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 less than the standard minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. If a worker receives $30 or more per month in tips, the employer may pay as little as $4.35 per hour in direct wages. However, if the combined total of the employer's direct wages and the employee's tips does not average at least $7.25 per hour in any work week, the employer must pay the difference. This tip credit provision means that tipped workers in Iowa are guaranteed to earn at least $7.25 per hour when their tips and wages are combined. The document does not address whether employers can count the value of meals or lodging toward the minimum wage, so Iowa workers should consult the Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing or the U.S. Department of Labor for guidance on those specific situations.
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
Under Iowa law, employers may deduct from an employee's wages only certain items: taxes, garnishments, and deductions for any lawful purpose that benefit the employee if the employee has given written authorization (for example, insurance, 401K, pensions, bonds, and savings programs). Iowa law prohibits employers from deducting cash shortages in a common money till, losses due to breakage, damage, acceptance of bad checks, or default of customer credit except in limited cases. Lost or stolen property cannot be deducted unless certain conditions are met, and personal protective equipment cannot be deducted in most cases. For exceptions, Iowa Code Chapter 91A.5 applies. This means that in Iowa, an employer generally cannot make deductions that would reduce an employee's pay below the state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for items like breakage or cash shortages.
What can be deducted from my wages? 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