2018 Minnesota Minimum Wage
The 2018 Minnesota Minimum Wage is $9.65.
Effective 2018-01-01Source: Minimum-wage rate adjusted for inflation as of Jan. 1, 2019 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)Verified 2026-08-31
Who it applies to
Large employers in Minnesota
What changed this year, and why
Minnesota's minimum wage for large employers was set at $9.65 per hour for 2018.
Common questions
- What was the minimum wage for small employers in Minnesota in 2018?
- The verified figure for 2018 applies to the large-employer minimum wage. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry also maintained a lower rate for small employers and certain other categories of workers in 2018.
- Did the minimum wage change after 2018?
- Yes. The large-employer minimum wage increased the following year, effective January 1, 2019.
Minors, students and training wages: who may be paid less than the rate on this page
In Minnesota, certain categories of workers may be paid less than the standard minimum wage of $9.65 per hour. Employees younger than 20 years of age can be paid the training wage rate, which is set below the regular minimum, but only for the first 90 consecutive days of employment. Employees younger than 18 years of age may be paid the youth wage rate, which is also below the standard minimum. These lower rates give employers a way to bring younger or less-experienced workers into the workforce while still guaranteeing them a baseline hourly wage. Once a trainee completes the 90-day period or a youth worker turns 18, the employer must pay at least the applicable full Minnesota minimum wage. Workers in Minnesota should know that these subminimum wages are limited exceptions; most employees are entitled to the full $9.65 hourly rate from their first day on the job.
The training wage rate, $8.04 an hour, may be paid to employees younger than 20 years of age for the first 90 consecutive days of employment. The youth wage rate, $8.04 an hour, may be paid to employees younger than 18 years of age.
Minimum-wage rate adjusted for inflation as of Jan. 1, 2019 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)
When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage
Minnesota's state minimum-wage rate does not apply to work performed in the city of Minneapolis, which has set its own higher minimum-wage rates. When a city or county in Minnesota establishes a local minimum wage that exceeds the state rate, employers in that locality must pay the higher local amount. Workers in Minneapolis therefore are entitled to the city's rate rather than the state's $9.65 an hour large-employer minimum wage. This means that in Minnesota, the floor that applies to a worker depends on where the work is performed: the state rate governs everywhere except where a local government has enacted a higher rate, in which case the local rate takes precedence for workers within that jurisdiction.
These state minimum-wage rates will not apply to work performed in the city of Minneapolis, which has higher minimum-wage rates.
Minimum-wage rate adjusted for inflation as of Jan. 1, 2019 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
In Minnesota, workers who believe their employer is not paying the required minimum wage can turn to the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for help. The department is the state agency responsible for administering and enforcing Minnesota's minimum-wage laws. Employees with questions about whether they are being paid correctly, or who want to file a wage complaint, should contact the department. The commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry oversees these enforcement activities. Workers in Minnesota do not need to guess whether their pay meets the legal requirement; the department can clarify which rate applies to their situation, including whether the large-employer rate of $9.65 or a lower rate such as the small-employer, youth, or training wage is the correct standard for their job.
"This is great news for Minnesota's lowest-wage workers and will help them keep up with inflation to better provide for themselves and their families," said Ken Peterson, commissioner, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
Minimum-wage rate adjusted for inflation as of Jan. 1, 2019 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)
How the rate is adjusted each year, and who announces it
In Minnesota, the minimum wage is adjusted each year to keep pace with rising prices. The state's minimum-wage rates are adjusted for inflation beginning each January 1. The adjustment is a cost-of-living change that reflects increases in consumer prices. For the 2019 adjustment, the large-employer minimum wage was set to increase from the previous $9.65 to $9.86, while other state minimum wages were set to rise to $8.04. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry announces these adjusted rates each year so that employers and workers know the new amounts before they take effect. This annual process ensures that Minnesota's minimum wage does not lose purchasing power over time as the cost of living goes up. Employers covered by the state law must update their pay rates accordingly when the new rates become effective.
Minnesota's minimum-wage rates will be adjusted for inflation beginning Jan. 1, 2019, to $9.86 an hour for large employers and $8.04 an hour for other state minimum wages.
Minimum-wage rate adjusted for inflation as of Jan. 1, 2019 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)
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.
Minimum-wage rate adjusted for inflation as of Jan. 1, 2019 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)
- Hourly
The current large-employer minimum wage, $9.65, will increase by 21 cents to $9.86.
Other years
Every Minnesota Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state