20 hrs/week
Tennessee minimum wage 20 hours
$145/wk
$7,540/year gross
Effective July 24, 2009 · Updated 2026-07-08
Tennessee Minimum Wage 2026
$7.25/hour
Current Tennessee hourly minimum, tipped rates, city ordinances, scheduled increases, and official sources — for HR, payroll, and workers.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
$7.25State minimum
$15,080FT annual gross
Federal floorUses $7.25
—No scheduled raise
Pay at 20, 30 & 40 hours/week
Gross at $7.25/hour before taxes. Use the hourly salary calculator and US tax calculator for take-home estimates.
30 hrs/week
Tennessee minimum wage 30 hours
$218/wk
$11,310/year gross
40 hrs/week
Tennessee minimum wage 40 hours
$290/wk
$15,080/year gross
Annual calculation
$7.25 × 40 hrs × 52 wks = $15,080 gross/year
Overtime at 1.5× minimum is $10.88/hr. Estimate take-home with our hourly to salary calculator or Tennessee tax calculator.
Compare Tennessee minimum wage
See who has the higher floor — and why — versus other states.
Tennessee minimum wage history (2020–2026)
January 1 rates from official U.S. Department of Labor sources — unchanged since 2020.
| Year | Jan 1 rate | YoY |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $7.25/hr | Flat |
| 2025 | $7.25/hr | Flat |
| 2024 | $7.25/hr | Flat |
| 2023 | $7.25/hr | Flat |
| 2022 | $7.25/hr | Flat |
| 2021 | $7.25/hr | Flat |
| 2020 | $7.25/hr | — |
No state minimum wage; federal FLSA $7.25 applies to covered employees.
Sources: DOL WHD historical table · DOL via FRED (Jan 1 series). Rates are as of January 1 each year.
How Tennessee's minimum wage is determined
Legislative authority
Tennessee's minimum wage is set by state law — typically by the legislature or ballot measure — and enforced by the state labor agency. Federal FLSA sets a $7.25 floor; states may not go lower for covered employees.
No automatic indexing
Tennessee requires new legislation (or a ballot measure) for each increase, so real wages can lag inflation until lawmakers act. No state minimum wage law.
How rates are set in practice
- Proposed legislation or ballot petition to raise the wage.
- Committee review with testimony from employers, workers, and economists.
- Floor vote (and governor signature or voter approval where required).
- Effective date — often January 1 or July 1, sometimes phased over years.
The federal minimum has been $7.25 since July 24, 2009. That freeze is why states like Tennessee set their own floors.
Frequently asked questions
The Tennessee minimum wage is $7.25 per hour in 2026, effective July 24, 2009. Full-time (40 hrs/week, 52 weeks) equals about $15,080/year before taxes.
Yes. Tennessee uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour for covered employees under the FLSA. No state minimum wage law.
At $7.25/hour working 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, an employee earns $15,080 gross per year before federal income tax, state taxes (if any), Social Security, and Medicare (FICA). Actual take-home depends on tax filing status and deductions.
The most recent increase was to $7.25/hour on July 24, 2009. No increase is currently scheduled.
At $7.25/hour for 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year (2,080 hours), gross annual pay is $15,080 before federal, state, and FICA taxes.
On January 1 each year from 2020 through 2026, the applicable Tennessee minimum wage remained $7.25/hour (federal FLSA floor for states without a higher state rate). Figures are from U.S. Department of Labor historical tables and the DOL-sourced FRED Jan 1 series. No state minimum wage; federal FLSA $7.25 applies to covered employees.
Tennessee has no tip credit — tipped employees receive the full minimum wage of $7.25/hour plus tips, not a lower base.
Tennessee does not automatically index its minimum wage to inflation, meaning the real purchasing power declines each year unless lawmakers vote to raise it.
At $7.25/hour in Tennessee: 20 hrs/week ≈ $145/week ($7,540/year); 30 hrs/week ≈ $218/week ($11,310/year); 40 hrs/week ≈ $290/week ($15,080/year). Gross before taxes.
Some workers may be exempt depending on job duties, employer size, or industry. Exempt categories typically include outside salespeople, certain agricultural workers, and some domestic workers. Always verify whether a specific position qualifies for exemption with your state labor department or a lawyer.
Contact your state's Department of Labor or equivalent wage and hour enforcement agency. Many allow online complaint forms. The U.S. Department of Labor also accepts complaints: visit www.dol.gov or call 1-866-4-USDOL. Retaliation against workers who report violations is illegal.
The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates that a single adult needs $24.00-$30.00/hour (varies by state) to afford housing, food, childcare, healthcare, and transportation without government assistance. Tennessee's minimum wage of $7.25 is typically below this threshold, which is why many minimum wage workers receive SNAP, Medicaid, or housing assistance.
More ways to use these rates
- All states minimum wage table — compare every jurisdiction side by side
- Minimum Wage Comparisons — State vs state — who has the higher floor and why.
- City Minimum Wage Profiles — Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Denver, and more local floors.
- Hourly Salary Calculator — Convert $/hr to weekly, monthly, and annual pay.
- US Tax Calculator — Estimate take-home from minimum wage in your state.
- US Overtime Calculator — See OT pay when weekly hours exceed 40.
- FICA Calculator — Social Security + Medicare on every paycheck.
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