Iowa's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Iowa is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. No increase is scheduled yet. Full time, that is $15,080 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $13,887 a year, or $534.13 every two weeks.
What the Iowa minimum wage pays
| At $7.25 | |
|---|---|
| Per hour | $7.25 |
| Per 8-hour day | $58.00 |
| Per 40-hour week | $290.00 |
| Every two weeks | $580.00 |
| Per month | $1,256.67 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $15,080.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $534.13 |
| Take-home per year | $13,887.38 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Iowa income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $7,540 a year and about $6,963 after taxes.
Iowa minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, the same as the federal rate. Employers may pay new hires $6.35 an hour for their first 90 calendar days. No increase has been announced. | Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Iowa Minimum Wage notice |
| Tipped employees | If you regularly get more than $30 a month in tips, your employer can count tips for up to 40% of the minimum wage, so your cash wage must be at least $4.35 an hour. | US Department of Labor, Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees |
| Overtime | Iowa has no overtime law of its own. Overtime follows the federal rule: time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek if your job is not exempt. Overtime complaints go to the US Department of Labor. | Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Iowa Minimum Wage notice |
How Iowa's minimum wage compares
Iowa is one of 20 states where the federal $7.25 is the minimum: Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
The typical (median) worker in Iowa earns $23.34 an hour, so the minimum wage is 31% of the median wage. 10% of Iowa workers earn less than $13.91 an hour and 25% less than $17.58 (BLS, May 2025, all 1,559,240 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Iowa, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $10.10 | 22,410 |
| Bartenders | $10.44 | 9,560 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $12.24 | 1,410 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $13.19 | 5,050 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $13.56 | 3,250 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $13.56 | 2,630 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $15,080 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | $341 | $664 |
| 1 child | $4,427 | $4,427 |
| 2 children | $6,032 | $6,032 |
| 3 children or more | $6,786 | $6,786 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $15,080 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $377 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $754. Source
Iowa minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Iowa?
$7.25 an hour, the federal minimum wage, which applies because the state rate is not higher.
How much is the Iowa minimum wage a year?
$15,080 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $1,257 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $13,887.
How much is the Iowa minimum wage after taxes?
About $534.13 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Iowa taxes.
Is Iowa's minimum wage going up?
No increase has been scheduled as of Oct 25, 2026.
What is time and a half at the Iowa minimum wage?
$10.88 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Alabama minimum wage ($7.25) · Georgia minimum wage ($7.25) · Idaho minimum wage ($7.25) · Indiana minimum wage ($7.25) · Kansas minimum wage ($7.25) · Kentucky minimum wage ($7.25) · Louisiana minimum wage ($7.25) · Mississippi minimum wage ($7.25)
Related
Iowa paycheck calculator · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $7.25
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.