Key Takeaways
• Minnesota’s 2025 minimum wage is $11.13/hour for all, including immigrants and J-1 visa workers.
• Employers can pay $9.08/hour only for 90-day training wage to workers under 20 years old.
• Minneapolis and St. Paul have higher local minimum wages exceeding the state minimum.
Minnesota’s Minimum Wage in 2025: What Immigrants, J-1 Visa Workers, and Employers Need to Know
Minnesota’s minimum wage laws have changed in important ways for 2025. These changes affect everyone working in the state, including immigrants, J-1 visa workers, young people, and business owners. Understanding the new rules is important for workers who want to make sure they are paid fairly and for employers who want to follow the law.
This guide explains the 2025 minimum wage in Minnesota, who it covers, how it affects J-1 visa workers, and what both workers and employers need to do to stay in compliance. It also looks at how these rules compare to other places, why the changes were made, and what might happen in the future.
What Is the Minimum Wage in Minnesota for 2025?
As of January 1, 2025, the minimum wage in Minnesota is $11.13 per hour for all employers. This means that every worker in the state—no matter the size of the company, the worker’s age, or visa status—must be paid at least $11.13 for every hour worked. This rate is the result of an annual adjustment for inflation, which helps make sure that workers’ pay keeps up with the rising cost of living.
Key facts about the 2025 minimum wage in Minnesota:
- General minimum wage: $11.13 per hour for all workers statewide
- 90-day training wage: $9.08 per hour for workers under 20 years old, but only for their first 90 days on the job
- J-1 visa workers in hotels, motels, and lodging: $11.13 per hour, same as everyone else
- No tip credit: Employers cannot count tips toward the minimum wage
- Local rules: Minneapolis and St. Paul have higher minimum wages
Who Is Covered by the Minnesota Minimum Wage?
The 2025 minimum wage law in Minnesota covers almost every worker in the state. This includes:
- Full-time and part-time workers
- Temporary and seasonal workers
- Immigrants, including those on J-1 visas
- Young workers (with special rules for those under 20)
- Employees of both large and small businesses
J-1 visa workers—who often work in hotels, motels, and other hospitality jobs—are now paid the same minimum wage as everyone else. In the past, some employers could pay J-1 visa workers less, but this is no longer allowed.
Exceptions: There are very few exceptions to the minimum wage law. The main one is the 90-day training wage for workers under 20 years old. After 90 days, these workers must be paid the full minimum wage.
How Did the Law Change for 2025?
The Minnesota legislature made several important changes to the minimum wage law that took effect on January 1, 2025:
- Elimination of subminimum wages: Before 2025, small employers (those making less than $500,000 per year), youth under 18, and J-1 visa workers could be paid less than the general minimum wage. This is no longer allowed. Now, everyone gets at least $11.13 per hour.
- Uniform wage statewide: The same minimum wage applies everywhere in Minnesota, except for Minneapolis and St. Paul, which have their own higher rates.
- Annual inflation adjustment: The minimum wage goes up each year based on inflation, so it keeps pace with the cost of living.
Why Did Minnesota Eliminate Subminimum Wages?
The decision to remove subminimum wages was made to promote fairness and make the law easier to follow. Lawmakers and labor advocates argued that paying different groups of workers less was unfair and confusing. Now, all workers—including J-1 visa workers and young people—are guaranteed the same base pay.
Supporters of the change say it helps:
- Promote wage equality: Everyone gets the same minimum wage, no matter their age, visa status, or where they work.
- Simplify compliance: Employers no longer have to keep track of different wage rates for different groups.
- Support immigrant and J-1 visa workers: These workers are often vulnerable to wage theft or unfair treatment. The new law gives them stronger protection.
How Does the 90-Day Training Wage Work?
The only exception to the $11.13 minimum wage is the 90-day training wage for workers under 20 years old. Here’s how it works:
- Who qualifies: Workers under 20 years old
- How much: $9.08 per hour
- How long: Only for the first 90 consecutive days of employment
- After 90 days: The worker must be paid the full minimum wage of $11.13 per hour
This training wage is meant to help young people get their first job and gain experience. After 90 days, they must be paid the same as everyone else.
What About Tips? No Tip Credit in Minnesota
Some states allow employers to pay tipped workers less than the minimum wage, as long as tips make up the difference. Minnesota does not allow this. All workers must be paid at least $11.13 per hour, plus any tips they earn. Employers cannot use tips to meet the minimum wage requirement.
How Do Local Minimum Wages in Minneapolis and St. Paul Work?
While the state minimum wage is $11.13 per hour, the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul have their own higher minimum wage laws. These local rules are designed to reflect the higher cost of living in these cities.
Minneapolis minimum wage (2025):
- Large employers: $15.97 per hour
- Small employers: Slightly lower, but still above the state minimum
St. Paul minimum wage (2025):
- Large employers: $15.00 per hour
- Small/micro employers: $12.25 per hour as of July 1, 2024, with increases scheduled
If you work in Minneapolis or St. Paul, your employer must pay you the higher local minimum wage. If you work elsewhere in Minnesota, the state minimum wage applies.
How Does the Minimum Wage Affect J-1 Visa Workers?
J-1 visa workers are international visitors who come to the United States 🇺🇸 for cultural exchange programs, often working in hospitality, tourism, or seasonal jobs. In Minnesota, J-1 visa workers are now covered by the same minimum wage as everyone else.
Key points for J-1 visa workers:
- Minimum wage: $11.13 per hour statewide, or higher if working in Minneapolis or St. Paul
- No subminimum wage: Employers cannot pay J-1 visa workers less than the minimum wage
- Same rights as other workers: J-1 visa workers are protected by the same wage laws as U.S. citizens and permanent residents
This change is important because J-1 visa workers are sometimes at risk of being underpaid or taken advantage of. The new law gives them stronger protection and helps ensure fair pay.
What Are Employers’ Responsibilities?
Employers in Minnesota must follow the new minimum wage law. Here’s what they need to do:
- Pay at least $11.13 per hour to all workers, except for the 90-day training wage for under-20 workers
- Follow local minimum wage laws if they operate in Minneapolis or St. Paul
- Do not use tips to meet the minimum wage
- Display updated minimum wage posters in a place where workers can see them. These posters are available for free from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry.
- Keep accurate records of hours worked and wages paid
Employers who do not follow the law can face penalties, fines, and lawsuits. It is important for business owners to stay informed and make sure they are paying their workers correctly.
What Should Workers Do If They Are Not Paid the Minimum Wage?
If you are a worker in Minnesota and you believe you are not being paid the correct minimum wage, you have the right to speak up. Here are steps you can take:
- Talk to your employer: Sometimes, mistakes happen. Ask your employer to explain your pay and correct any errors.
- Contact the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry: You can call 651-284-5075 or 800-342-5354, or email [email protected] for help.
- File a complaint: If your employer does not fix the problem, you can file a wage complaint with the state. The Department of Labor and Industry will investigate.
- Get help from an advocate: Many community organizations help immigrants and J-1 visa workers understand their rights and get legal help if needed.
For more information, visit the official Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry minimum wage page.
How Does Minnesota’s Minimum Wage Compare to Other States?
Minnesota’s minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum wage, which has been stuck at $7.25 per hour since 2009. Many states have raised their minimum wages above the federal level, but Minnesota stands out for a few reasons:
- Annual inflation adjustment: Minnesota’s minimum wage goes up each year based on inflation, so workers’ pay keeps up with rising prices.
- Uniform wage statewide: Except for Minneapolis and St. Paul, the same minimum wage applies everywhere in the state.
- No tip credit: All workers get the full minimum wage, even if they earn tips.
Some states still allow lower wages for young workers, small businesses, or tipped workers. Minnesota’s approach is more straightforward and offers stronger protection for workers, including immigrants and J-1 visa workers.
Why Is the Minimum Wage Adjusted for Inflation?
Since 2014, Minnesota has increased its minimum wage each year based on inflation. This means that as the cost of living goes up, so does the minimum wage. The goal is to make sure that workers do not lose buying power over time.
For example, the minimum wage increased from $10.85 in 2024 to $11.13 in 2025, a 2.6% rise. This helps workers keep up with higher prices for things like food, rent, and transportation.
What Are the Practical Implications for Immigrants and J-1 Visa Workers?
The 2025 minimum wage law has several important effects for immigrants and J-1 visa workers in Minnesota:
- Better pay: All workers, regardless of immigration status or visa type, are guaranteed at least $11.13 per hour.
- Stronger protection: The law makes it harder for employers to pay immigrants or J-1 visa workers less than they deserve.
- Easier to understand: With one minimum wage for almost everyone, it is simpler for workers to know their rights and for employers to follow the rules.
For J-1 visa workers, this means they can expect fair pay and have the same rights as other workers in Minnesota. If they work in Minneapolis or St. Paul, they may earn even more.
What Do Experts and Stakeholders Say?
Labor advocates and worker organizations have praised the changes, saying they help protect vulnerable workers and make the law easier to follow. Business groups, such as the National Federation of Independent Business, have said that clear communication and support are important for small businesses adjusting to the new rules.
Economists point out that Minnesota’s approach—raising the minimum wage each year based on inflation—helps workers keep up with the cost of living. This is different from the federal minimum wage, which has not changed in over a decade.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the elimination of subminimum wages for J-1 visa workers and others is seen as a step toward greater fairness and wage equality in the state.
What Does the Future Hold for Minnesota’s Minimum Wage?
Minnesota’s minimum wage will continue to be adjusted each year for inflation. This means workers can expect small increases over time, helping them keep up with rising prices. Local minimum wages in Minneapolis and St. Paul are also expected to rise, staying above the state minimum.
Lawmakers may consider changes to the training wage or other wage rules in the future, depending on the economy and feedback from workers and employers.
Action Steps and Resources
If you are a worker or employer in Minnesota, here are some steps you can take:
- Check your pay: Make sure you are being paid at least the minimum wage for your area.
- Know your rights: Learn about the minimum wage laws and what they mean for you.
- Get help if needed: Contact the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry for questions or to report problems.
- Stay informed: Watch for updates each year, as the minimum wage changes with inflation.
You can find more information, including free workplace posters and detailed guides, at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry’s official website.
Conclusion
Minnesota’s 2025 minimum wage law is designed to protect all workers, including immigrants and J-1 visa workers, by guaranteeing fair pay and clear rules. With a uniform wage across the state (except for higher rates in Minneapolis and St. Paul), no tip credit, and annual inflation adjustments, Minnesota offers strong protections for its workforce. Both workers and employers should stay informed and make sure they are following the law to ensure fair treatment and compliance.
Learn Today
Minimum Wage → The lowest legal hourly pay employers must provide to workers under labor law.
J-1 Visa Workers → Foreign visitors participating in cultural exchange programs, often working in hospitality sectors.
Subminimum Wage → A wage below the general minimum allowed for certain groups, now eliminated in Minnesota.
Tip Credit → Allowance for employers to pay less than minimum wage if tips make up the difference.
Inflation Adjustment → Annual increase in wages to match rising living costs, preserving purchasing power.
This Article in a Nutshell
Minnesota raised its 2025 minimum wage to $11.13 per hour for all workers, including immigrants and J-1 visa holders. The law eliminates subminimum wages, requires no tip credit, and has higher local rates in Minneapolis and St. Paul, protecting fairness and ensuring pay keeps pace with inflation every year.
— By VisaVerge.com
