Wisconsin's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Wisconsin 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 $13,644 a year, or $524.77 every two weeks.
What the Wisconsin 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 | $524.77 |
| Take-home per year | $13,644.02 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Wisconsin 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 $6,947 after taxes.
Wisconsin 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 | Wisconsin's minimum wage is $7.25 an hour for adults and minors, the same as the federal rate. No increase has been officially announced. | Wisconsin DWD, Minimum Wage |
| Tipped employees | If you receive tips, your employer must pay you at least $2.33 an hour. If your tips plus that wage do not average at least $7.25 an hour over the pay period, your employer must make up the difference. | Wisconsin DWD, Minimum Wage |
| Overtime | Most workers must get time and one-half their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Wisconsin does not require overtime for long hours on a single day, except on some public works projects. | Wisconsin DWD, Overtime |
How Wisconsin's minimum wage compares
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin earns $24.17 an hour, so the minimum wage is 30% of the median wage. 10% of Wisconsin workers earn less than $14.41 an hour and 25% less than $18.12 (BLS, May 2025, all 2,941,540 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Wisconsin, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Bartenders | $11.28 | 29,520 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $13.02 | 7,220 |
| Driver/Sales Workers | $13.25 | 10,020 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $13.49 | 6,430 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $13.52 | 2,270 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $13.74 | 3,350 |
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
Wisconsin minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Wisconsin?
$7.25 an hour, the federal minimum wage, which applies because the state rate is not higher.
How much is the Wisconsin 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 $13,644.
How much is the Wisconsin minimum wage after taxes?
About $524.77 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Wisconsin taxes.
Is Wisconsin's minimum wage going up?
No increase has been scheduled as of Oct 25, 2026.
What is time and a half at the Wisconsin 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) · Iowa minimum wage ($7.25) · Kansas minimum wage ($7.25) · Kentucky minimum wage ($7.25) · Louisiana minimum wage ($7.25)
Related
Wisconsin 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.