2020 Iowa Minimum Wage
The 2020 Iowa Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2020-01-01Source: Wage Claims FAQ (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2019
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2019.
| Item | 2019 | 2020 | 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
The hourly minimum wage in Iowa is $7.25 for 2020.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Iowa?
- The minimum wage in Iowa is $7.25 per hour.
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
In Iowa, workers with wage disputes or concerns about minimum wage compliance should contact the Iowa Division of Labor to file a wage claim. The Division handles complaints related to unpaid wages, minimum wage violations, and other employment law issues. Workers who believe they have not been paid the required $7.25 per hour minimum wage, or who have questions about whether their employer is complying with Iowa wage laws, can reach out to this state agency for assistance. The Division investigates wage claims and helps resolve disputes between employees and employers regarding pay.
Wage Claims FAQ | Department of Inspections, Appeals, & Licensing
Wage Claims FAQ (Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
In Iowa, tipped employees may be paid less than the standard minimum wage of $7.25 per hour under certain conditions. If an employee receives $30 or more per month in tips, the employer may pay as little as $4.35 per hour. However, if the employee's wages and tips combined do not average at least $7.25 per hour in any work week, the employer is legally required to pay the difference. This ensures that tipped workers in Iowa receive at least the full minimum wage when tips are included. The employer must track weekly earnings to verify compliance with this 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 make certain deductions from employees' wages. Deductions are permitted for taxes, garnishments, and deductions for any lawful purpose that benefit the employee if the employee has given written authorization, such as for insurance, 401K plans, pensions, bonds, and savings programs. However, employers cannot deduct for cash shortages in common money till, losses due to breakage or damage, acceptance of bad checks, or customer credit defaults except in limited cases. Lost or stolen property also cannot be deducted unless specific conditions are met. Personal protective equipment generally cannot be deducted from wages. For specific exceptions, Iowa Code Chapter 91A.5 provides detailed guidance. These rules ensure that workers receive at least the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour after lawful deductions are applied.
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.
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