Key Takeaways
• Wyoming’s 2025 minimum wage remains $7.25, matching the federal rate unchanged since 2009.
• Tipped employees receive $2.13 base wage plus tips, totaling at least $7.25 per hour.
• Students, interns, and young workers have reduced wages; overtime pay is 1.5 times regular pay.
Understanding the Minimum Wage in Wyoming for 2025: A Detailed Guide for Immigrants, Workers, and Employers
When moving to a new place, one of the most important things to know is how much you can expect to earn at your job. For immigrants, new workers, and employers in Wyoming, understanding The minimum wage rules is key to making good decisions about work and pay. This guide explains the minimum wage in Wyoming for 2025, including special rules for tipped employees, students, and young workers. It also covers who is affected, how the rules work, and what this means for people living and working in Wyoming.
What Is the Minimum Wage?
The minimum wage is the lowest amount an employer can legally pay most workers for each hour of work. In the United States 🇺🇸, there is a federal minimum wage set by the government. States can set their own minimum wage, but if the state wage is lower than the federal wage, most employers must pay the higher federal rate.
Wyoming’s Minimum Wage in 2025
As of 2025, the minimum wage in Wyoming is $7.25 per hour. This is the same as the federal minimum wage, which has not changed since 2009. Wyoming has not passed any laws to increase its minimum wage above the federal level, so the rate has stayed the same for several years.
Key Facts:
– Standard minimum wage: $7.25 per hour for most workers
– No local or city differences: The minimum wage is the same everywhere in Wyoming
– No recent changes: The rate has not increased in 2023, 2024, or 2025
Who Must Be Paid the Minimum Wage?
Most workers in Wyoming are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), a federal law that sets rules for minimum wage, overtime, and child labor. If you work for a business that does business across state lines or makes a certain amount of money each year, you are probably covered by the FLSA. This means you must be paid at least $7.25 per hour.
Some workers are not covered by the FLSA. For these workers, Wyoming state law sets a lower minimum wage of $5.15 per hour for untipped employees and $2.13 per hour for tipped employees. However, these cases are rare because most employers in Wyoming are covered by federal law.
Special Minimum Wage Rules for Tipped Employees
Many people in Wyoming work in restaurants, hotels, or other service jobs where they receive tips. These workers are called “tipped employees.” The rules for tipped employees are different from the standard minimum wage.
Who is a tipped employee?
– Someone who regularly receives more than $30 per month in tips
How does pay work for tipped employees?
– Employers can pay a base wage of $2.13 per hour
– Employers can use a “tip credit” of up to $5.12 per hour
– The total of the base wage plus tips must add up to at least $7.25 per hour
If a tipped employee’s wages and tips do not add up to $7.25 per hour, the employer must make up the difference.
Example:
– Maria works as a waitress in Cheyenne. She is paid $2.13 per hour by her employer. In one week, she works 30 hours and earns $120 in tips.
– Her total pay from her employer: 30 hours x $2.13 = $63.90
– Her tips: $120
– Total earnings: $63.90 + $120 = $183.90
– Her average hourly pay: $183.90 ÷ 30 = $6.13 per hour
Because $6.13 is less than $7.25, her employer must pay her an extra $1.12 per hour for each hour worked to reach the minimum wage.
Minimum Wage for Student Workers and Interns
Some workers in Wyoming are allowed to be paid less than the standard minimum wage. This includes students and interns who are working part-time while going to school.
Key rules:
– Employers can pay student workers and interns 85% of the minimum wage
– In 2025, this equals $6.16 per hour
– This rule helps students and interns get work experience, but it means they earn less than other workers
Training Wage for Young Workers
If you are under 20 years old and just started a new job, your employer can pay you a lower wage for a short time.
Key rules:
– For the first 90 days of work, new employees under age 20 can be paid a training wage of $4.25 per hour
– After 90 days or when the worker turns 20, the pay must go up to at least $7.25 per hour
This rule is meant to help young people get their first jobs, but it also means they may earn less at the start.
Overtime Pay in Wyoming
If you work more than 40 hours in a week, you must be paid extra for those hours. This is called “overtime pay.”
Key rules:
– Overtime pay is 1.5 times your regular hourly wage
– For most workers earning $7.25 per hour, overtime pay is $10.88 per hour
– Overtime rules apply to most workers covered by the FLSA
Who Is Exempt from Minimum Wage Laws?
Not every worker in Wyoming must be paid the minimum wage. Some jobs and workers are “exempt,” which means the rules do not apply to them.
Common exemptions:
– Farmers and seasonal agricultural workers: Many farm jobs are not covered by minimum wage laws
– Certain nonprofit and educational organizations: Some workers at nonprofits or schools may be exempt
– Small businesses not covered by the FLSA: If a business does not do business across state lines and makes less than a certain amount of money, it may not have to follow federal minimum wage rules
For these rare cases, Wyoming law sets a lower minimum wage of $5.15 per hour for untipped employees and $2.13 per hour for tipped employees.
Why Does Wyoming’s Minimum Wage Matter for Immigrants and Newcomers?
For immigrants and people moving to Wyoming, knowing the minimum wage helps you plan your budget and understand your rights at work. Many immigrants work in jobs that pay close to the minimum wage, especially in restaurants, hotels, and cleaning services. Knowing the rules helps you make sure you are paid fairly.
Real-World Example:
– Ahmed moves to Wyoming from abroad and gets a job as a dishwasher at a local restaurant. He is paid $7.25 per hour and sometimes works overtime. After learning about overtime rules, he checks his pay and sees he is being paid $10.88 per hour for overtime, as required by law. This helps Ahmed feel confident that his employer is following the rules.
How Does Wyoming Compare to Other States?
Some states in the United States 🇺🇸 have raised their minimum wages much higher than the federal level. For example, in 2025, Washington state’s minimum wage is $16.66 per hour. Many other states have also increased their minimum wages in recent years.
Wyoming, however, has kept its minimum wage at the federal level of $7.25 per hour. There are no cities or counties in Wyoming with higher minimum wages. This means Wyoming has one of the lowest minimum wages in the country.
Why Hasn’t Wyoming Raised Its Minimum Wage?
Wyoming’s minimum wage has not changed since at least 2018. There have been no new laws or proposals to raise the minimum wage in 2024 or 2025. Some people in Wyoming believe that raising the minimum wage could hurt small businesses, while others think it would help workers earn enough to live on.
Stakeholders:
– Wyoming Department of Workforce Services: Makes sure employers follow wage laws
– Business associations: Often want to keep wages low to help businesses
– Worker advocacy groups: Want higher wages for workers
As reported by VisaVerge.com, there have been no major policy changes or new proposals to increase the minimum wage in Wyoming in 2024 or 2025.
Practical Implications for Employers
Employers in Wyoming must follow both federal and state wage laws. This means:
– Paying at least $7.25 per hour to most workers
– Using the tip credit system correctly for tipped employees
– Paying overtime when required
– Following special rules for students, interns, and young workers
– Keeping good records of hours worked and wages paid
If employers do not follow these rules, they can face fines and legal problems.
Practical Implications for Employees and Immigrants
If you are working in Wyoming, you have the right to be paid at least the minimum wage for your work. If you are a tipped employee, your total pay (wages plus tips) must add up to at least $7.25 per hour. If you work overtime, you must be paid extra.
If you think your employer is not paying you correctly, you can contact the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division for help. You can also check the official Wyoming Department of Workforce Services website for more information about wage laws and your rights.
Summary Table: Wyoming Minimum Wage 2025
| Category | Wage Rate (2025) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Minimum Wage | $7.25 per hour | Same as federal minimum wage |
| Tipped Employee Base Wage | $2.13 per hour | Tip credit up to $5.12 per hour allowed |
| Student Workers & Interns | $6.16 per hour | 85% of minimum wage |
| Training Wage (Under 20, 90 days) | $4.25 per hour | Temporary training wage |
| Overtime Pay | $10.88 per hour | 1.5 times regular wage for >40 hours/week |
| State Minimum Wage (Non-FLSA covered) | $5.15 per hour (untipped) | Applies to rare cases not covered by FLSA |
| $2.13 per hour (tipped) |
What Should You Do Next?
- If you are an employee: Check your pay stubs to make sure you are being paid at least the minimum wage. If you are a tipped employee, add up your wages and tips to see if you reach $7.25 per hour. If you work overtime, make sure you are paid 1.5 times your regular wage.
- If you are an employer: Review your payroll to make sure you are following all minimum wage, tip credit, and overtime rules. Make sure you know the special rules for students, interns, and young workers.
- If you are an immigrant or new to Wyoming: Learn about your rights at work. Do not be afraid to ask questions or report problems if you think you are not being paid correctly.
Where to Get More Information
For official information about the minimum wage, overtime, and worker rights in Wyoming, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division or the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.
Conclusion
The minimum wage in Wyoming for 2025 is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. Special rules apply for tipped employees, students, and young workers, but most workers must be paid at least $7.25 per hour. There have been no recent changes to the minimum wage in Wyoming, and it is unlikely to increase soon unless federal law changes. Both employers and employees should know the rules to make sure everyone is paid fairly. If you have questions or concerns, use official resources or contact the U.S. Department of Labor for help. By knowing your rights and responsibilities, you can make better choices about work and pay in Wyoming.
Learn Today
Minimum Wage → Lowest hourly pay an employer must legally give most workers under labor laws.
Tipped Employee → A worker regularly receiving over $30 per month in tips, affecting wage rules.
Tip Credit → Amount employers count from tips to meet minimum wage requirements for tipped employees.
Overtime Pay → Extra pay, usually 1.5 times the hourly wage, for work beyond 40 hours weekly.
FLSA → Fair Labor Standards Act federal law governing wages, overtime, and labor standards.
This Article in a Nutshell
Wyoming’s minimum wage in 2025 is $7.25 per hour, equal to the federal rate. Special rules apply for tipped workers, students, interns, and young employees, while overtime pay ensures higher wages for extra hours. Understanding these rules protects workers and helps employers comply with fair labor laws.
— By VisaVerge.com
