Pay Concerns / U.S. guidance
Minimum wage
Check the applicable wage floor—not just the federal number.
1 · Federal standards
Federal minimum wage
$7.25/hour
Federal overtime exemption salary threshold
$35,568/year · $684/week
For certain executive, administrative and professional overtime exemptions. Salary alone does not determine exempt status; applicable duties and other requirements also matter.
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division · Minimum wage source · Salary threshold source
Minimum wage effective July 24, 2009. Salary threshold in effect since January 1, 2020; DOL enforces this level after a court vacated the 2024 rule on November 15, 2024. It is not a minimum salary for every salaried employee.
2 · State minimum wage based on ZIP
Use where you actually work.
3 · Verified local minimum wage
Enter a ZIP code above.
Some cities or counties may have additional wage requirements. CCS only displays local rates when an official government source has been verified.
When federal, state and local rates differ, each is shown; CCS doesn't decide which applies to a specific worker or whether anyone is exempt. Special rules and exemptions may apply.
What does it mean?
Minimum wage is the lowest hourly wage required for covered work. The federal rate is $7.25/hour for covered, nonexempt employees. The federal overtime exemption salary threshold is $35,568/year · $684/week—for certain executive, administrative and professional overtime exemptions; salary alone does not determine exempt status, and applicable duties and other requirements also matter. States and some cities or counties set higher rates.
What to pay attention to
When multiple minimum-wage laws apply, the higher applicable requirement generally controls. Tipped work, some youth employment and other exceptions have special rules. Your home ZIP alone does not establish which rules cover your workplace.
Where to go next
- 1
Record the work location, pay period, hours and gross pay—not just take-home pay.
- 2
Check the state labor agency and the city or county’s official wage page for the effective date and coverage.
- 3
Ask DOL/WHD or the state agency about tip credits, exceptions or possible wage concerns.
Sources & dates
CCS content reviewed October 7, 2026. A review date is not a law’s effective date. Where a source has no single effective date, it is labeled as reference guidance. Open the official source for updates.
- U.S. DOL • Fair Labor Standards Act overview (opens in a new tab)
Federal $7.25 minimum wage effective July 24, 2009; other FLSA provisions have different effective dates
- U.S. DOL • State labor offices (opens in a new tab)
Contact directory; no single effective date. Confirm the current state rule with the agency.
- U.S. DOL • State minimum wage laws (opens in a new tab)
State summary; each rate has its own effective date. Confirm with the state agency.