Did Kentucky's minimum wage change in 2018?

Name: 2018 Kentucky Minimum Wage
Creator: DOL

No. Kentucky's minimum wage was $7.25 per hour in 2017 and remained $7.25 per hour in 2018.

2018 Kentucky Minimum Wage

The 2018 Kentucky Minimum Wage is $7.25.

Hourly$7.25

Effective 2018-01-01Source: Kentucky Wage and Hour Laws (Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet)Verified 2026-08-30

Compared with 2017

Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2017.

Item	2017	2018	Change
Hourly	$7.25	$7.25	+$0 (+0.0%)

Who it applies to

Employers and employees covered by the Kentucky Minimum Wage Law

What changed this year, and why

Kentucky's minimum wage remained $7.25 per hour in 2018, the same as in 2017.

Common questions

Did Kentucky's minimum wage change in 2018?: No. Kentucky's minimum wage was $7.25 per hour in 2017 and remained $7.25 per hour in 2018.

Minors, students and training wages: who may be paid less than the rate on this page

Kentucky allows certain categories of workers to be paid less than the standard minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. This includes minors, students in work-study programs, and employees undergoing training. Employers who hire these individuals may apply for special certificates that authorize payment at a subminimum rate, provided the worker's productivity or skill level justifies the lower wage. These exceptions exist to encourage employers to hire people who might otherwise have difficulty finding work due to limited experience or ability. Workers covered by these special wage provisions still receive some minimum wage protection, though the hourly amount may fall below $7.25. Kentucky employers who wish to pay subminimum wages must follow state procedures and maintain proper documentation showing why each worker qualifies for the reduced rate.

Certain exemptions from minimum wage and overtime apply.
Kentucky Wage and Hour Laws (Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet)

When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage

When a city or county in Kentucky sets a minimum wage higher than the state rate, employers in that locality must pay the higher local rate to their employees. This means that workers in jurisdictions with local minimum wage ordinances receive more than $7.25 per hour, even though the statewide minimum remains at that level. Local governments have the authority to establish wage floors that better reflect the cost of living in their area. Employers operating in multiple Kentucky jurisdictions must track which locations require the higher wage and ensure compliance with each local ordinance. The Kentucky Minimum Wage Law does not preempt local governments from setting stronger protections for workers within their boundaries. Employees who believe their employer is not paying the correct local rate should contact the relevant local government office or the Kentucky Division of Wages and Hours for assistance in resolving the dispute.

No employer shall withhold from any employee's wages any part of the agreed wage rate; unless a) the employer is required to do so by local, state, or federal law;
Kentucky Wage and Hour Laws (Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet)

Overtime is paid at one and one-half times the regular rate

Kentucky law requires employers to pay overtime at a premium rate when employees work beyond a standard workweek. The rule states that the rate of pay for time in excess of forty hours shall be not less than one and one-half the hourly rate employed. This means employees earning $7.25 per hour must receive time and a half for overtime work. The premium applies regardless of whether workers are paid hourly, salaried, or on another basis, and employers cannot average hours across multiple weeks to avoid the requirement. Kentucky also has a seventh-day rule requiring time and a half for work on the seventh day of any workweek, unless total hours that week remain at or below the standard threshold. These protections ensure workers receive fair compensation for extended periods. Employees who believe their employer failed to pay proper overtime should contact the Kentucky Division of Wages and Hours for assistance.

The rate of pay for time in excess of forty hours shall be not less than one and one-half the hourly rate employed.
Kentucky Wage and Hour Laws (Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet)

Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint

Workers and employers with questions about Kentucky minimum wage law or wage complaints should contact the Kentucky Division of Wages and Hours at the Education and Labor Cabinet office in Frankfort. The phone number is (502) 564-3534, and additional information is available at elc.ky.gov. This state agency handles inquiries about wage rates, overtime pay, tipped employee wages, and other provisions of the Kentucky Minimum Wage Law. Employees who believe they are being paid less than $7.25 per hour or who have not received proper overtime compensation can reach out for guidance and to initiate a complaint. The Division also provides information about exemptions from minimum wage and overtime requirements. Keeping records of hours worked and wages received helps support any wage complaint filed with the state labor office.

Division of Wages and Hours Mayo-Underwood Building 500 Mero Street, 3rd Floor Frankfort, Kentucky 40601-4381 Phone (502) 564-3534 elc.ky.gov
Kentucky Wage and Hour Laws (Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet)

State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate

Kentucky's minimum wage law works alongside federal wage protections to ensure workers receive the highest applicable rate. When both state and federal minimum wage laws apply, employees in Kentucky are entitled to whichever rate provides greater protection. Currently, Kentucky's minimum wage of $7.25 per hour matches the federal minimum wage, so workers receive that amount regardless of which law applies. However, if the federal rate were to increase above the state rate, Kentucky employers would be required to pay the higher federal amount. Similarly, if Kentucky were to raise its minimum wage above the federal level, employers would pay the state rate. This dual system means that workers benefit from whichever standard is more favorable to them. The Kentucky Division of Wages and Hours can provide guidance on which rate applies in specific situations and help resolve disputes about proper wage payment.

the employer is required to do so by local, state, or federal law;
Kentucky Wage and Hour Laws (Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet)

When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage

Kentucky employers may count tips toward meeting the minimum wage obligation for employees who customarily and regularly receive more than $30 per month in tips. Such tipped employees may be paid a direct wage of $2.13 per hour, provided that when tips are added to this base wage, the employee receives at least $7.25 per hour for each workweek. If the combined total falls short of the minimum wage in any week, the employer must make up the difference. Kentucky law prohibits employers from using tips for any purpose other than what the employee is entitled to receive, and employers cannot require employees to turn over gratuities except for legally required withholdings. The state also requires employers to maintain records showing additions to cash wages at cost or deductions for meals, board, and lodging when such credits are applied toward wages.

Any employee engaged in an occupation in which more than $30 dollars per month is customarily and regularly received in tips, the employer may pay a minimum of $2.13 per hour if the employer' records can establish for each week where credit is taken, when adding the tips received to wages paid, not less than the minimum wage is received by the employee.
Kentucky Wage and Hour Laws (Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet)

What an employer may deduct from your pay

Kentucky law specifies what employers may and may not deduct from employee wages. Employers cannot withhold any part of the agreed wage rate unless required by local, state, or federal law, or when the employee has expressly authorized deductions in writing for items such as insurance premiums or medical dues. Union dues may also be deducted when authorized by collective bargaining agreements. However, Kentucky employers are prohibited from deducting fines, cash shortages from shared registers, breakage, losses from dishonored checks (if the employee had discretion to accept them), or losses from defective workmanship, lost property, or customer credit defaults unless caused by the employee's willful disregard of the employer's interest. These protections ensure that deductions do not reduce an employee's pay below the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour except in specifically allowed circumstances.

No employer shall deduct the following from the wages of employees: a) Fines b) Cash shortages in a common money till, cash box or register used by two (2) or more persons; c) Breakage;
Kentucky Wage and Hour Laws (Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet)

Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower

When Kentucky's state minimum wage is lower than the federal minimum wage, the federal rate applies to most employers. This principle ensures that workers receive the highest wage protection available to them. Currently, Kentucky's minimum wage of $7.25 per hour equals the federal minimum wage, so both standards provide the same protection. However, if Kentucky's rate were to fall below the federal level, employers covered by federal law would still be required to pay the higher federal amount. This dual system operates under the rule that employees receive the benefit of whichever wage standard is more favorable. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act establishes the national floor, while states like Kentucky can set higher rates but cannot authorize payment below the federal minimum for covered employers. Workers with questions about which rate applies to their situation should contact the Kentucky Division of Wages and Hours for clarification.