Kentucky Minimum Wage 2026
The Kentucky minimum wage is $7.25 an hour in 2026, the federal minimum. Kentucky uses the federal minimum wage.
| Hourly | $7.25 |
| Daily (8 hours) | $58.00 |
| Weekly (40 hours) | $290.00 |
| Every 2 weeks | $580.00 |
| Monthly | $1,256.67 |
| Yearly | $15,080 |
| Overtime hour (1.5×) | $10.88 |
| Federal income tax | -$0 |
| Social Security + Medicare | -$1,154 |
| Kentucky taxes | -$410 |
| Take-home pay | $13,516 |
Kentucky vs neighboring states
| State | 2026 minimum wage | Full-time yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Indiana | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Ohio | $11.00 | $22,880 |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | $18,200 |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $26,562 |
| Tennessee | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Missouri | $15.00 | $31,200 |
| Illinois | $15.00 | $31,200 |
Common questions
What is the Kentucky minimum wage in 2026?
The Kentucky minimum wage is $7.25 an hour in 2026, the same as the federal minimum. Kentucky uses the federal minimum wage.
When did the Kentucky minimum wage last change?
The current $7.25 rate has applied since July 24, 2009, when the federal minimum was last raised.
How much is minimum wage full time in Kentucky after taxes?
Working 40 hours a week, $7.25 an hour is $15,080 a year before taxes. A single filer keeps about $13,516 a year, or $519.85 every two weeks, after federal and Kentucky taxes.
Is the Kentucky minimum wage higher than the federal minimum wage?
No. Kentucky uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, which has not changed since 2009.
What is overtime pay at the Kentucky minimum wage?
Overtime is at least 1.5 times the regular rate, so each overtime hour at the Kentucky minimum wage pays at least $10.88.
Some workers, such as tipped employees, minors and employees of very small businesses, may have different minimums. Check the Kentucky labor department for your situation.