Wisconsin minimum wage 2027: stays $7.25 an hour

Wisconsin minimum wage 2027: no increase scheduled in 2027: the federal $7.25 per hour (Wisconsin DWD poster ERD-9247-P; U.S. DOL state table). Verified Sep 17, 2026 on two official pages.

“Wisconsin Minimum Wage Rates Effective July 24, 2009 (Wis. Stat. ch. 104) General Minimum Wage Rates Non-Opportunity Employees: $7.25 per Hour”

Second official source: “Wisconsin Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $7.25” (U.S. DOL state table).

Wisconsin paycheck calculator

What changes for Wisconsin employers in 2027

Rate in force now: Wisconsin minimum wage for adults is $7.25 per hour. (Wis. Stat. ch. 104 (U.S. DOL WHD state minimum wage table); Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Minimum Wage; verified Sep 27, 2026).

Other Wisconsin minimum rates

• Tipped employees: “Minimum Wage Rates for Tipped Employees Non-Opportunity Employees: $2.33 per Hour Opportunity Employees: $2.13 per Hour” (Wisconsin DWD poster ERD-9247-P)
• Opportunity employees (under 20, first 90 days): “Opportunity Employees: $5.90 per Hour Minimum Wage Rates for Tipped Employees Non-Opportunity Employees: $2.33 per Hour Opportunity Employees: $2.13 per Hour Note: “Opportunity employee” means an employee who is not yet 20 years old and who has been in employment status with a particular employer for 90 or fewer consecutive calendar days from the date of initial employment.” (Wisconsin DWD poster ERD-9247-P)

How we checked that nothing changes in 2027

• Wis. Stat. § 104.035 as published by the Wisconsin Legislature sets a fixed $7.25 per hour with no later step and no indexing (Wis. Stat. § 104.035 (WI Legislature)).
• The Wisconsin Elections Commission notice lists three statewide questions for November 3, 2026 (partial veto on taxes and fees, places of worship in an emergency, governmental discrimination) and none on the minimum wage (WEC Notice of Referendum (Nov 2026)).

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

• Paydays: Most employers must pay all wages earned at least monthly, with no longer than 31 days between pay periods. (Wis. Stat. ch. 109 (U.S. DOL WHD state payday table, footnote 25); Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Wages (Chapter 109, Wis. Stats.); verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Meal breaks: No general meal break requirement for employees 18 or older; by regulation the state recommends (does not require) a ½ hour meal period after 6 consecutive hours in factories, mechanical and mercantile establishments and certain service industries. Separate rules apply to minors and to migrant workers. (U.S. DOL WHD table of state meal period requirements (footnote 2, Wisconsin); Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Breaks and Meal Periods; verified Sep 27, 2026)
• Rest breaks: No state rest break requirement for employees 18 or older. (U.S. DOL WHD table of state paid rest period requirements (footnote 1; Wisconsin not listed); Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Breaks and Meal Periods; verified Sep 27, 2026)

Every verified rule for the state, with the law cited: Wisconsin 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: Wisconsin rules.

Wisconsin minimum wage rates: now, 2027 and next

2027 minimum wage: Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin minimum wage in 2027

Sources (18)

• Wisconsin DWD poster ERD-9247-P
• U.S. DOL state table
• U.S. DOL thresholds page
• eCFR 29 CFR 541.600
• Wis. Stat. § 104.035 (WI Legislature)
• WEC Notice of Referendum (Nov 2026)
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Minimum Wage
• Wis. Stat. ch. 109 (U.S. DOL WHD state payday table, footnote 25)
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Wages (Chapter 109, Wis. Stats.)
• U.S. DOL WHD table of state meal period requirements (footnote 2, Wisconsin)
• Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, Breaks and Meal Periods
• U.S. DOL WHD table of state paid rest period requirements (footnote 1; Wisconsin not listed)
• U.S. DOL minimum wage page
• 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo)
• Michigan LEO minimum wage FAQ
• Minnesota DLI minimum wage page
• Iowa Code § 91D.1 (Iowa Legislature)
• Illinois IDOL minimum wage FAQ

Checked Sep 17, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error

Where this goes next

StateWisconsin employer rulebookAll 51 statesMinimum wage by state 20272027Every Wisconsin change in 2027ToolWisconsin paycheck calculator