The minimum wage in Kentucky is $7.25/hour as of 2026. See the tipped wage, scheduled increases, annual income at minimum wage, and how it compares to the federal poverty level.
| Category | Rate / Detail |
|---|---|
| Standard Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour |
| Tipped Minimum Wage | $2.13/hour |
| Federal Minimum Wage | $7.25/hour (FLSA) |
| Scheduled Increases | No scheduled increases |
| Full-Time Annual (2,080 hrs) | $15,080/year |
| Part-Time Annual (30 hrs/wk) | $11,310/year |
| As % of Federal Poverty Level (1 person) | 96% of FPL ($15,650) |
| Source | U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division; Kentucky Dept. of Labor |
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage.
Kentucky has no state minimum wage above the federal $7.25/hour. The tipped minimum is $2.13/hour under federal rules. Kentucky preempts local minimum wage laws. Louisville and Lexington had passed local minimum wages but these were invalidated by state preemption legislation.
The federal poverty guideline for a single person in 2026 is $15,650/year. At Kentucky's minimum wage of $7.25/hour, a full-time worker earns $15,080/year — 96% of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, the poverty guideline is $32,150/year; full-time minimum wage earnings represent 47% of that threshold.
| Work Schedule | Gross Annual Income at $7.25/hr | vs. Federal Poverty Level |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time (40 hrs/wk) | $15,080/year | 96% of single FPL |
| Part-time (30 hrs/wk) | $11,310/year | 72% of single FPL |
| Part-time (20 hrs/wk) | $7,540/year | 48% of single FPL |
| Federal Poverty (1 person) | $15,650/year | 100% |
| Federal Poverty (family of 4) | $32,150/year | N/A |
The minimum wage in Kentucky is $7.25/hour as of 2026. A full-time worker at minimum wage earns $15,080/year gross before taxes. Kentucky has no state minimum wage above the federal $7.25/hour. The tipped minimum is $2.13/hour under federal rules. Kentucky preempts local minimum wage laws. Louisville and Lexington had passed local minimum wages but these were invalidated by state preemption legislation.
The tipped minimum wage in Kentucky is $2.13/hour. Employers who pay the tipped minimum must ensure that tips received by the employee are sufficient to bring total compensation to at least $7.25/hour. If tips are insufficient, the employer must pay the difference (called a tip credit makeup).
Scheduled increases: No scheduled increases. Check the Kentucky Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division for the most current information, as minimum wage schedules can change with new legislation or ballot measures.
At $7.25/hour, full-time earnings of $15,080/year represent 96% of the federal poverty level for a single person. MIT's Living Wage Calculator estimates that a living wage in most Kentucky counties ranges from $18 to $35/hour depending on family size and local housing costs. Minimum wage alone is generally insufficient to cover basic living expenses in most of Kentucky without government assistance or additional income.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). It has not increased since July 24, 2009 — the longest period without a federal minimum wage increase in history. When state minimum wages exceed the federal minimum, the higher state rate applies to covered workers. In Kentucky, the applicable minimum wage is $7.25/hour.