2023 Texas Minimum Wage
The 2023 Texas Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2023-01-01Source: Texas Minimum Wage Law (Texas Workforce Commission)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2022
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2022.
| Item | 2022 | 2023 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Non-exempt employees in Texas. Certain employers are exempt, including those already covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
What changed this year, and why
The minimum wage in Texas for 2023 is $7.25 per hour. Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate.
Common questions
- Does Texas set its own minimum wage?
- No. Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate, which is $7.25 per hour.
- Can employers count tips toward the minimum wage?
- Yes, with specified restrictions, employers may count tips and the value of meals and lodging toward the minimum wage.
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the state agency responsible for providing information about minimum wage requirements in Texas. If you have questions about whether your employer is following the minimum wage law, or if you need guidance on your rights and obligations under the Texas Minimum Wage Act, TWC is the appropriate point of contact. The agency can help clarify what the current minimum wage rate is and explain how it applies to different employment situations. In addition to providing general information, TWC also handles wage complaints from workers who believe they have not been paid correctly. If you think you have been paid less than the law requires, you may file a wage claim with TWC. There is a specific deadline for filing such claims, so it is important to act promptly if you believe you are owed wages. Alternatively, you may choose to pursue your claim through the civil court system. For questions about the minimum wage or to file a complaint, contact the Texas Workforce Commission.
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 federal and state minimum wage laws apply in Texas, the employer must pay the higher of the two rates. Texas has not set a state minimum wage above the federal level, so the applicable rate in Texas is the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The Texas Minimum Wage Act expressly adopts the federal rate rather than establishing a separate, higher state floor. Workers in Texas are therefore entitled to at least $7.25 per hour for non-exempt employment. Employers covered by both the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and the Texas Minimum Wage Act must comply with whichever standard is more protective of the employee. Because Texas's rate matches the federal rate, the effective minimum wage for most non-exempt workers in the state is $7.25 per hour.
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 are permitted to count tips and the value of meals and lodging toward meeting the minimum wage requirement of $7.25 per hour, though this is subject to specified restrictions. This means that if an employee regularly receives tips as part of their work, or if the employer provides meals or lodging as part of the compensation, the monetary value of those items can be credited against the minimum wage the employer must otherwise pay in cash. However, this credit is not unlimited or automatic. Employers must comply with the specific conditions and limitations set out in the Texas Minimum Wage Act to ensure that the total compensation, including the credited amount, satisfies the wage floor. Workers who receive tips or non-cash benefits should be aware of how these credits affect their pay and can seek clarification from the Texas Workforce Commission if they believe the rules are not being followed.
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
In Texas, the state minimum wage law does not set its own rate. Instead, Texas adopts the federal minimum wage rate, which is $7.25 per hour. This means there is no conflict between a lower state rate and a higher federal rate, because the state has simply chosen to follow the federal floor. When a state sets a wage below the federal minimum, the federal rate controls under the Fair Labor Standards Act, and employers must pay the higher amount. In Texas, that question does not arise: the primary exemption from the Texas Minimum Wage Act is for workers already covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, making the federal rate the effective standard across the state. Employees in Texas are therefore guaranteed at least $7.25 per hour, and employers cannot argue that a lower state rate permits them to pay less than the federal floor.
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