The minimum wage in Wisconsin is $7.25 an hour as of October 2026, for both adults and minors. Tipped employees must be paid at least $2.33 an hour in cash, which is 20 cents more than the federal tipped minimum, and tips must bring them up to $7.25.
These figures come from the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development's minimum wage page, which dates the current rates to July 24, 2009, plus the U.S. Department of Labor's state, tipped and payday tables, all read in October 2026. Wisconsin's rate looks identical to the federal one, but its tipped, youth and special rates don't match the federal numbers.
Every Wisconsin rate in one table
| Worker | Rate (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Adult | $7.25 an hour |
| Minor | $7.25 an hour |
| Opportunity employee | $5.90 an hour |
| Tipped employee | $2.33 an hour cash wage |
| Tipped opportunity employee | $2.13 an hour cash wage |
| Caddies | $5.90 for 9 holes, $10.50 for 18 holes |
The opportunity wage
The Department of Workforce Development explains that an employer may pay $5.90 an hour to a worker under 20 years old for their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. After 90 consecutive days, or once the worker turns 20, whichever comes first, the full $7.25 applies.
Here's the catch most people miss: that's not the same as the federal youth rule. The federal youth minimum is $4.25 for the first 90 days. Wisconsin sets its opportunity wage higher, at $5.90, so a Wisconsin employer using the federal figure would underpay.
Tipped staff in Wisconsin
Wisconsin's tipped cash wage is $2.33 an hour. If tips plus that cash wage don't average at least $7.25 an hour over the pay period, the employer must make up the difference. The Department of Labor's tipped table puts Wisconsin's maximum tip credit at $4.92.
There's one lower tipped figure. An opportunity employee who is also tipped can be paid a cash wage of $2.13 an hour, under the same under-20 and 90-day limits. If you split tips across the team, my guide to tip pooling covers who can share.
Camp counselor rates
Wisconsin sets weekly minimums for camp counselors rather than an hourly rate. The figures depend on what the camp provides.
| Camp counselor arrangement | Weekly minimum (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| No board or lodging | $350 a week |
| Board only | $265 a week |
| Board and lodging | $210 a week |
Paydays and overtime
The U.S. Department of Labor's payday table says most Wisconsin employers must pay all wages earned at least monthly, with no longer than 31 days between pay periods. Overtime is time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek, and the Department of Labor's state table shows no daily overtime for Wisconsin. My overtime laws guide explains which salaried roles are exempt.
Wisconsin's rate history
| Year (1 January) | Wisconsin rate |
|---|---|
| 2005 | $5.15 |
| 2006 | $5.70 |
| 2007 | $6.50 |
| 2010 onward | $7.25 |
| As of October 2026 | $7.25 |
The Department of Labor's history table shows Wisconsin moved above the federal rate in 2006 and 2007, then settled at $7.25. It hasn't changed since the 2009 rates the state still lists.
Wisconsin and its neighbours
| State | Basic minimum wage (as of October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin | $7.25 |
| Illinois | $15.00 |
| Minnesota | $11.41 |
| Michigan | $13.73 |
| Iowa | $7.25 |
Wisconsin is the low point of the upper Midwest apart from Iowa. Illinois pays more than double, which matters if you hire near the state line. My Minnesota minimum wage guide covers the nearest neighbour to the west.
Federal coverage and Wisconsin law together
Wisconsin's rates apply alongside the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, and an employer must meet whichever rule is more generous to the worker. That's why the tipped cash wage is $2.33 and not the federal $2.13, and why the opportunity wage is $5.90 rather than the federal youth rate of $4.25. The state rules sit in Wisconsin Statutes Chapter 104 and Wisconsin Administrative Code DWD 272, both linked from the department's page.
Where to check or complain in Wisconsin
The Department of Workforce Development's Equal Rights Division handles wage complaints. Workers can file a complaint online or post a paper form, and the department publishes a minimum wage rates poster in English and Spanish that employers can display. It also has a separate page on the special minimum wage for people with disabilities, which has its own rules and isn't covered here.
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- Use the $2.33 tipped cash wage, not the federal $2.13, unless the worker is a tipped opportunity employee.
- Track the start date of every under-20 hire so the opportunity wage stops at 90 consecutive days.
- Pay camp counselors by the weekly table rather than an hourly rate.
- Keep no more than 31 days between pay periods.
Wisconsin lists a separate minor rate, but it's the same $7.25 as the adult rate. The only age-based discount is the opportunity wage, and it lasts 90 consecutive days at most.
My verdict
Wisconsin's $7.25 headline hides three numbers that differ from federal law: the $2.33 tipped wage, the $5.90 opportunity wage and the weekly camp rates. If you set pay from a federal poster you'll get Wisconsin wrong in at least one of them. Use the state's own table and you're covered.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Wisconsin?
It's $7.25 an hour as of October 2026, for adults and minors.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Wisconsin?
Tipped employees must be paid at least $2.33 an hour in cash, with tips bringing them to $7.25 on average over the pay period.
What is the opportunity wage in Wisconsin?
It's $5.90 an hour for workers under 20 during their first 90 consecutive calendar days with an employer.
How often must Wisconsin employers pay staff?
Most must pay at least monthly, with no longer than 31 days between pay periods.
What do caddies earn in Wisconsin?
The state minimum is $5.90 for 9 holes and $10.50 for 18 holes.
Does Wisconsin have daily overtime?
No. Overtime is time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek.
Can Wisconsin employers pay minors less?
Not for age alone. The minor rate is $7.25, the same as adults; only the opportunity wage for under-20s in their first 90 days is lower.
Where do I file a Wisconsin wage complaint?
With the Department of Workforce Development's Equal Rights Division, online or on a paper form.
