2023 Minnesota Minimum Wage
The 2023 Minnesota Minimum Wage is $10.59.
Effective 2023-01-01Source: New year, new minimum-wage rates as of Jan. 1, 2024 (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 $10.59 per hour in 2023, adjusted annually for inflation.
Common questions
- Did the $10.59 rate apply to all employers?
- The $10.59 hourly minimum wage applied to large employers, as defined by Minnesota law.
- Did the state minimum wage apply in Minneapolis and St. Paul?
- No. Work performed in Minneapolis and St. Paul was subject to those cities' higher minimum-wage rates, not the state minimum.
Minors, students and training wages: who may be paid less than the rate on this page
In Minnesota, the state minimum wage of $10.59 an hour for large employers in 2023 is the general baseline, but certain workers may legally be paid less. Employees younger than 20 years of age may be paid the training wage rate of $8.85 an hour for the first 90 consecutive days of employment. Similarly, employees younger than 18 years of age may be paid the youth wage rate of $8.85 an hour. These lower rates recognize that younger or newly hired workers are often entering the labor market for the first time. Employers in Minnesota must be careful to apply these exceptions only within their defined limits; once the 90-day training period ends or the employee turns 18 or 20, the regular state minimum wage applies. Workers and employers should verify which rate applies based on age and length of employment.
The training wage rate, $8.85 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, $8.85 an hour, may be paid to employees younger than 18 years of age.
New year, new minimum-wage rates as of Jan. 1, 2024 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)
When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage
Minnesota's minimum wage of $10.59 an hour for large employers applies statewide, but some cities in Minnesota have set their own higher minimum wage rates. The state minimum-wage rates do not apply to work performed in Minneapolis and St. Paul, which have established higher local minimum wages through city ordinances. Workers employed in these cities must be paid at least the local rate, which may exceed the state minimum. This means that a worker in Minneapolis or St. Paul could earn more per hour than a worker in other parts of Minnesota performing the same job. Employers must check whether their business location falls within a city with a higher local minimum wage and pay accordingly. The higher local rate takes precedence over the state rate in those jurisdictions.
The state minimum-wage rates will not apply to work performed in the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which have higher minimum-wage rates.
New year, new minimum-wage rates as of Jan. 1, 2024 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers in Minnesota seeking information about the state minimum wage of $10.59 an hour for large employers can find more details on the Minimum wage in Minnesota webpage maintained by the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. This state agency administers Minnesota's wage and hour laws and is the appropriate authority for questions about minimum wage compliance. Workers who believe their employer is not paying the correct minimum wage should contact the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to file a wage complaint. The department investigates wage complaints and can order employers to pay back wages owed to workers. Minnesota law also requires employers to display state-mandated posters about minimum wage rates in locations where employees can easily see them.
More information about Minnesota's minimum-wage rates is available on the Minimum wage in Minnesota webpage.
New year, new minimum-wage rates as of Jan. 1, 2024 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
In Minnesota, the state minimum wage of $10.59 an hour for large employers in 2023 provides worker protections that may differ from federal standards. When both state and federal minimum wage laws apply, workers are entitled to whichever rate is higher. Minnesota's current state minimum wage exceeds the federal minimum wage, so workers in Minnesota receive the benefit of the state rate. This principle ensures that employees receive the greater protection available under either law. Minnesota employers must comply with the state minimum wage when it is higher than the federal floor. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry enforces state wage laws, while the U.S. Department of Labor enforces federal standards. Workers in Minnesota should be aware that they are entitled to the higher of the two applicable rates.
Adjusting for inflation, the 2023 Minnesota large-employer minimum wage of $10.59 an hour is below the average rate of the federal minimum wage for 1960 through 1981, which was $12.03 an hour.
New year, new minimum-wage rates as of Jan. 1, 2024 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
When a state minimum wage is lower than the federal minimum wage, workers in that state are still entitled to the federal rate. In Minnesota, the situation is reversed: the state minimum wage of $10.59 an hour for large employers is higher than the current federal minimum wage, so Minnesota workers receive the state rate. However, with some limited exceptions, the federal minimum wage rate applies when the state rate is lower. This principle ensures that all covered workers receive at least the federal floor, regardless of their state's rate. Minnesota's higher state rate means workers benefit from greater protections than the federal standard provides. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry administers the state rate, while the U.S. Department of Labor administers the federal rate.
Adjusting for inflation, the 2023 Minnesota large-employer minimum wage of $10.59 an hour is below the average rate of the federal minimum wage for 1960 through 1981, which was $12.03 an hour.
New year, new minimum-wage rates as of Jan. 1, 2024 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)
How the rate is adjusted each year, and who announces it
Minnesota adjusts its minimum wage each year to account for inflation. The Minnesota minimum wage of $10.59 an hour for large employers in 2023 is adjusted annually for inflation. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry calculates the new rate based on changes in the cost of living and announces it before the new rate takes effect on January 1 of each year. This automatic adjustment ensures that the minimum wage maintains its purchasing power over time without requiring new legislation. Workers and employers in Minnesota can rely on this annual adjustment to keep wages aligned with economic conditions.
The Minnesota minimum wage – $10.59 an hour for large employers in 2023 – is adjusted annually for inflation.
New year, new minimum-wage rates as of Jan. 1, 2024 (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.
New year, new minimum-wage rates as of Jan. 1, 2024 (Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry)
- Hourly
The Minnesota minimum wage – $10.59 an hour for large employers in 2023 – is adjusted annually for inflation.
Other years
Every Minnesota Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state