Wisconsin Minimum Wage 2026
Wisconsin's minimum wage of $7.25 in 2026 is below average in the United States, and it is the same as than the base federal minimum wage of $7.25 still used in 20 states.
Federal 
Wisconsin Assuming a standard 40-hour work week, the weekly minimum wage in Wisconsin is $290. For full-time employees working 52 weeks per year, the annual minimum wage in Wisconsin is $15.1K.
Based on $7.25/hr minimum
Based on $7.25/hr minimum
The minimum wage rate of Wisconsin and its neighboring states ranges from $7.25 to $15, with an average of $11.85. Wisconsin, at $7.25, has the lowest hourly minimum wage within this group of states. Illinois ($15), Michigan ($13.73), and Minnesota ($11.41) all have higher hourly rates than Wisconsin.
Wisconsin While the general minimum wage is $7.25 per hour in Wisconsin, there are exceptions where workers may legally receive less than this amount:
Employees who receive tips can be paid a lower cash wage at $2.33, as long as their tips bring total earnings up to at least $7.25,
Youth under age 20 in their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment may be paid a lower training wage of $5.9/hr.
Golf caddies can be paid a fixed amount per round ($5.9 for 9 or $10.5 for 18 holes) instead of the standard hourly minimum wage.
Wisconsin's cost of living index for 2025 is 97.7, which places it as the 26th most expensive state to live in the United States.
National 100
Wisconsin 97.7
Assuming a standard 40-hour work week, the real wage in Wisconsin, adjusted for the state’s cost of living index of 97.7, is approximately $7.42 per hour. This means that while the nominal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the purchasing power of those earnings is higher due to Wisconsin's lower cost of living expenses. For full-time employees, the real weekly earnings amount to roughly $296.83, translating to an annual purchasing power of $15,435.01 when working 52 weeks per year.
Adjusted
Adjusted
Adjusted
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According to the most recent data, the median household income in the United States has seen a significant increase in 2023.
Wisconsin’s minimum wage is set under Wisconsin law at $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal minimum wage. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development enforces state wage and hour laws and applies federal Fair Labor Standards Act requirements where applicable.
