Iowa minimum wage 2027: stays $7.25 an hour

Iowa minimum wage 2027: no increase scheduled in 2027: the federal $7.25 per hour (Iowa Code § 91D.1 (Iowa Legislature); U.S. DOL state table). Verified Nov 12, 2026 on two official pages.

“The state hourly wage shall be at least $6.20 as of April 1, 2007, and $7.25 as of January 1, 2008.”

Second official source: “Iowa Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $7.25 The Iowa minimum wage equals the federal minimum wage rate if it is set below the federal rate.” (U.S. DOL state table).

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What changes for Iowa employers in 2027

Rate in force now: Iowa's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. (State Minimum Wage Laws (U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division table, updated July 1, 2026); Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Wages (Iowa Code chapter 91D); verified Sep 27, 2026).

Other Iowa minimum rates

• Tipped employees ($30 or more a month in tips): “What is the current minimum wage? $7.25 per hour. Can my employer pay me less than minimum wage, if I am a tipped employee? If you make $30 per month or more in tips, the employer may pay as little as $4.35 per hour.” (Iowa DIAL Wages page)
• First 90 calendar days of employment: “An employer shall pay an employee who has not completed ninety calendar days of employment with the employer an hourly wage of at least $5.30 as of April 1, 2007, and $6.35 as of January 1, 2008.” (Iowa Code § 91D.1 (Iowa Legislature))
• Small enterprises (under $300,000 a year): “b. Except as provided in paragraph “c”, the minimum wage requirements set forth in this section shall not apply to an enterprise whose annual gross volume of sales made or business done, exclusive of excise taxes at the retail level which are separately stated, is less than three hundred thousand dollars.” (Iowa Code § 91D.1 (Iowa Legislature))

How we checked that nothing changes in 2027

• Iowa Code § 91D.1 as published by the Iowa Legislature (Iowa Code 2026) sets $7.25 from January 1, 2008, or the federal minimum wage if greater, with no later step and no indexing (Iowa Code § 91D.1 (Iowa Legislature)).
• Iowa's November 3, 2026 ballot had one statewide public measure, a constitutional amendment requiring a two-thirds legislative vote for income tax increases, and none on the minimum wage (Linn County official ballot (Nov 2026)).
• The official county results list a single statewide public measure on the November 3, 2026 ballot (Linn County official results (Nov 2026)).

Paying the minimum wage in Iowa: paydays, final pay and breaks

• Paydays: Iowa employers must pay most employees on a regular payday at least monthly (weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly or monthly are all allowed), no later than 12 days (excluding Sundays and legal holidays) after the end of the pay period. (State Payday Requirements (U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division table, January 1, 2023); Iowa Code section 91A.3 (Wage Payment Collection); verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Final pay after a firing: When employment ends for any reason, all wages earned must be paid no later than the next regular payday. (Iowa Code § 91A.4; Iowa Division of Labor (DIAL), Wages FAQ; verified Sep 24, 2026)
• Final pay after a resignation: When employment ends for any reason, all wages earned must be paid no later than the next regular payday. (Iowa Code § 91A.4; Iowa Division of Labor (DIAL), Wages FAQ; verified Sep 24, 2026)
• Meal breaks: No state meal break requirement for adult employees in private employment in Iowa. (Minimum Length of Meal Period Required under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023); Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Wages; verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Rest breaks: No state rest break requirement for adult employees in private employment in Iowa, other than allowing toilet breaks when needed. (Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023); Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Wages; verified Sep 27, 2026)

Every verified rule for the state, with the law cited: Iowa employer rulebook.

Exempt salary threshold in 2027: Federal $684 a week ($35,568 a year); no higher state threshold found (U.S. DOL thresholds page; eCFR 29 CFR 541.600) Verified Oct 21, 2026

Each change with its official text: Iowa rules.

Iowa minimum wage rates: now, 2027 and next

2027 minimum wage: Iowa and neighboring states

Each state links to its rulebook, and to its own 2027 minimum wage page where we have one. The same rows, for every state, are in the 2027 table by state.

How to act on it

Full-time pay at the rate in 2027 (computed: hourly rate × 40 hours a week and × 2,080 hours a year, before taxes): $7.25 = $290.00 a week, $15,080 a year.

Questions about the Iowa minimum wage in 2027

Sources (20)

• Iowa Code § 91D.1 (Iowa Legislature)
• U.S. DOL state table
• U.S. DOL thresholds page
• eCFR 29 CFR 541.600
• Linn County official ballot (Nov 2026)
• Linn County official results (Nov 2026)
• Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing, Wages (Iowa Code chapter 91D)
• State Payday Requirements (U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division table, January 1, 2023)
• Iowa Code section 91A.3 (Wage Payment Collection)
• Iowa Code § 91A.4
• Minimum Length of Meal Period Required under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023)
• Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (U.S. DOL WHD table, January 1, 2023)
• U.S. DOL minimum wage page
• 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo)
• Minnesota DLI minimum wage page
• Wisconsin DWD poster ERD-9247-P
• Illinois IDOL minimum wage FAQ
• RSMo 290.502 (MO Revisor)
• Nebraska AG Opinion No. 26-003
• South Dakota DLR minimum wage page

Checked Nov 12, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error

Where this goes next

StateIowa employer rulebookAll 51 statesMinimum wage by state 20272027Every Iowa change in 2027ToolHourly to salary calculator