2017 Texas Minimum Wage
The 2017 Texas Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2017-01-01Source: Texas Minimum Wage Law (Texas Workforce Commission)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2016
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2016.
| Item | 2016 | 2017 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Non-exempt employees in Texas covered by the Texas Minimum Wage Act
What changed this year, and why
Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Texas?
- Texas adopts the federal minimum wage, which is $7.25 per hour.
- Can cities or employers in Texas set a higher minimum wage than the state rate?
- No. The Texas Minimum Wage Act sets the state floor at the federal rate but does not stop employees from collectively bargaining for higher pay, and it does not stop cities or employers from setting a higher wage.
Minors, students and training wages: who may be paid less than the rate on this page
The Texas Minimum Wage Act exempts certain categories of workers from its coverage. Among the listed exemptions are "Certain youths and students," meaning that employers in Texas may pay subminimum wages to these groups without violating state law. This exemption applies alongside other categories such as inmates, professionals, domestic workers, and family members. When youths or students fall under this exemption, they can be paid less than the $7.25 per hour floor. Workers in Texas who do not fit into one of the exempt categories must receive at least $7.25 per hour. Employers should consult Chapter 62 of the Texas Labor Code and applicable federal rules under the FLSA to determine whether a particular worker qualifies for a subminimum wage.
Other specific exemptions include: Employment in, of or by religious, educational, charitable, or nonprofit organizations Professionals, salespersons, or public officials Domestics Certain youths and students Inmates Family members Amusement and recreational establishments Non-agricultural employers not liable for state unemployment contributions Dairying and production of livestock Sheltered workshops
Texas Minimum Wage Law (Texas Workforce Commission)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the state agency designated by the Texas Minimum Wage Act to provide information about minimum wage requirements. Workers and employers with questions about the $7.25 per hour rate, employer obligations, or employee rights should contact TWC. TWC also handles wage complaints. If you believe you have been paid less than the law requires, you may file a wage claim with TWC or pursue a lawsuit in civil court. Filing a claim with TWC has a shorter deadline than filing a lawsuit, so workers should act promptly. A successful lawsuit can recover unpaid wages plus an additional equal amount as liquidated damages, and the court may also assess reasonable attorney's fees and court costs against the employer. Whether you seek general information about the minimum wage or need to report a violation, TWC's Wage & Hour Program is the state's designated resource for these matters under the Texas Minimum Wage Act.
Indicates Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the agency who provides information about state minimum wage requirements.
Texas Minimum Wage Law (Texas Workforce Commission)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
When both Texas and federal minimum wage laws apply, the higher rate controls. Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate, which is $7.25 per hour, rather than setting a separate state rate. Because the federal rate is the same as what Texas would otherwise require, workers in Texas are entitled to $7.25 per hour under federal law. If a state law were to provide a higher rate than the federal floor, the greater employee protection would apply. In Texas, the state and federal rates are aligned, so workers are covered by the $7.25 per hour minimum.
Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
Texas Minimum Wage Law (Texas Workforce Commission)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
Texas employers may count tips and the value of meals and lodging toward the $7.25 per hour minimum wage, but only within specified restrictions established by law. This means that if an employee regularly receives tips as part of their job, or if the employer furnishes meals or lodging as part of the compensation package, a portion of that value may be credited against the employer's obligation to pay the full minimum wage in cash. However, this is not an unlimited credit - employers must follow the restrictions set out in the Texas Minimum Wage Act to determine how much can be counted and under what conditions. Workers who receive tips, meals, or lodging from their employer should understand that the total compensation package, including the cash wage paid plus the value of these credits, must still meet or exceed the minimum wage when calculated according to the legal rules. Disputes about whether these credits were properly applied can be raised through a wage claim with the Texas Workforce Commission.
With specified restrictions, employers may count tips and the value of meals and lodging toward minimum wage.
Texas Minimum Wage Law (Texas Workforce Commission)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
Under the Texas Minimum Wage Act, the state does not set its own floor below the federal level. Because Texas's own minimum wage is $7.25, the federal rate is what applies to workers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. When an employer is covered by the FLSA, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour governs, and the state defers to it rather than setting a competing, lower rate.
The primary exemption from the Texas Minimum Wage Act is for any person covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Texas Minimum Wage Law (Texas Workforce Commission)
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.
Texas Minimum Wage Law (Texas Workforce Commission)
- Hourly
Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
Other years
Every Texas Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state