2019 Iowa Minimum Wage
The 2019 Iowa Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2019-01-01Source: Wage Claims FAQ (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2018
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2018.
| Item | 2018 | 2019 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Employers and employees subject to the Iowa Minimum Wage Law
What changed this year, and why
Iowa's minimum wage rate for 2019
Common questions
- Who must comply with the Iowa minimum wage?
- Generally, employers that gross a threshold amount in annual sales or business must comply. Public agencies, construction entities, and certain institutions must also comply regardless of sales volume.
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
In Iowa, workers with questions about minimum wage rates or wage complaints have several options. For issues involving federal minimum wage or overtime, contact the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division at 515-284-4625. For state wage claims involving amounts not exceeding $6,500, you can file a wage claim with the Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing (DIAL) by calling 515-725-5619 or printing a form online. You also have the right to pursue your claim in court on your own behalf. The Iowa minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and tipped employees must earn at least that amount when tips are included.
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, the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Tipped employees who earn $30 or more per month in tips may be paid as little as $4.35 per hour by their employer. However, if the hourly wage plus tips do not average at least $7.25 per hour in any work week, the employer must pay the difference. This is the only provision in Iowa law regarding tips and minimum wage. The document does not address whether the value of meals or lodging can be counted toward the minimum wage requirement.
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 taxes, garnishments, and deductions for lawful purposes that benefit the employee—such as insurance, retirement plans, pensions, bonds, and savings programs—but only if the employee has given written authorization for the deduction. Employers may not deduct cash shortages in a common money till, losses from breakage or damage, losses from accepting bad checks or customer credit defaults (except in limited cases), lost or stolen property (unless certain conditions are met), or personal protective equipment in most cases. A deduction that brings wages below the $7.25 per hour minimum wage must be examined carefully against these rules. For the full list of exceptions, see Iowa Code Chapter 91A.5.
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