2020 Texas Minimum Wage
The 2020 Texas Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2020-01-01Source: Texas Minimum Wage Law (Texas Workforce Commission)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
Non-exempt employees in Texas covered by the Texas Minimum Wage Act
What changed this year, and why
The minimum wage in Texas is $7.25 per hour. Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate.
Common questions
- Does Texas have its own minimum wage that is different from the federal rate?
- Texas adopts the federal minimum wage, which the U.S. Department of Labor sets at $7.25 per hour.
Minors, students and training wages: who may be paid less than the rate on this page
Texas exempts certain categories of workers from the state minimum wage law. Among the specific exemptions listed in the Texas Minimum Wage Act are certain youths and students, along with other categories such as domestic workers, inmates, family members, and professionals. When a worker falls into one of these exempt categories, the state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour does not apply to their employment. This means that employers in Texas may pay exempt youths and students less than the standard minimum wage, or may not be required to pay them minimum wage at all. The primary exemption applies to workers already covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Texas workers and employers should review Chapter 62 of the Texas Labor Code to determine whether a particular youth or student employment situation falls under these exemptions.
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
Employees in Texas who believe they have been paid less than the law requires have two options for seeking redress. They can file a wage claim with the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), which is the state agency responsible for minimum wage requirements, or they can file a lawsuit in civil court. If filing a wage claim with TWC, the claim must be submitted no later than 180 days after the wages were due. For a lawsuit, workers have two years from the date the wages were due to file and can recover unpaid wages plus an additional equal amount as liquidated damages. The employer may also be assessed reasonable attorney's fees and court costs. Texas workers should contact TWC for guidance on filing procedures and deadlines, as missing the 180-day window for a wage claim means losing that option, though the two-year lawsuit deadline may still apply.
If you think you've been paid at a rate lower than the law requires may choose to take legal action. You can file a wage claim with TWC, or you can file a lawsuit in civil court. If you file a wage claim with TWC, it must be filed no later than 180 days after the wages were due.
Texas Minimum Wage Law (Texas Workforce Commission)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
Texas does not set its own minimum wage above the federal level. Instead, the state adopts the federal minimum wage rate, meaning Texas workers receive the same hourly pay floor as workers in states that follow the federal standard. Some states have enacted their own minimum wage laws that provide greater employee protections by establishing rates higher than the federal minimum. When a state law offers a higher rate, employees in that state are entitled to the more generous amount. In Texas, however, the state minimum wage aligns with the federal floor rather than exceeding it. This means Texas employers must pay at least the federal rate, and Texas employees cannot claim a higher state minimum wage. The Texas Minimum Wage Act sets this floor for non-exempt employees working in the state.
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 adopts the federal minimum wage, and the state law allows employers to use two kinds of credit toward meeting that wage. First, tips received by the employee may be counted by the employer toward the minimum wage. Second, the value of meals and lodging furnished by the employer may also be counted. Both credits are subject to specified restrictions set out in the Texas Minimum Wage Act, so an employer cannot simply apply any amount for tips, food or housing without following the rules. In practice this means the base cash wage the employer pays may be lower than $7.25 per hour, as long as the tips plus the allowable value of meals and lodging bring the worker's total compensation up to at least the full minimum. The standard minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Employers and employees who need the exact limits on how much can be credited for tips, meals or lodging should consult the Texas Minimum Wage Act and any related federal guidance, since the state text points to the federal framework for these credits.
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
When a state sets its minimum wage below the federal rate, the federal minimum wage applies instead. Texas has chosen to adopt the federal minimum wage rate rather than establishing a separate state rate that is lower. This means that even if Texas were to set a state minimum wage below the federal floor, employers in Texas would still be required to pay at least the federal rate. The federal minimum wage serves as a baseline that protects workers nationwide. In Texas, because the state aligns with the federal standard, workers receive the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Employers cannot pay less than this amount by citing a lower state rate, because the federal floor takes precedence when it provides greater protection to workers.
Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate.
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