Overview of Wyoming's Minimum Wage Requirements
As of 2024, the minimum wage in Wyoming is set at $7.25 per hour, which aligns with the Federal Minimum Wage. This rate is applicable to most employees in the state, barring a few exceptions. For overtime work, all workers who put in over 40 weekly hours are entitled to a minimum wage of at least 1.5 times the regular applicable minimum wage, which is $10.88 per hour.
One such exception is for tipped employees. In Wyoming, a "tipped employee" is defined as an employee who regularly receives more than $30 in tips per month. For these employees, Wyoming labor law allows a lower cash wage than the standard minimum wage. This is due to a provision known as the "Tip Credit," which permits up to $3.02 in tips earned per hour to be deducted from their wage. Consequently, with the maximum tip credit taken, tipped employees must be paid a cash wage of at least $2.13 per hour. This results in a total minimum compensation of $5.15 per hour when tips are included.
Understanding Local Minimum Wage Variations
The minimum wage in Wyoming is consistent across all counties and cities, including Laramie County, Natrona County, Sweetwater County, Fremont County, Cheyenne, Casper, Laramie, Gillette, and Rock Springs. The weekly minimum wage for a 40-hour work week is $290.00, and the yearly minimum wage is $15,080.00.
However, it's important to note that the cost of living in different counties may require a higher wage to afford basic necessities. For instance, to afford a two-bedroom apartment at the Fair Market Rent (FMR), a household must earn an hourly wage of $16.77 in Fremont County, which is more than double the minimum wage. The average renter wage in the county is slightly below this at $16.37 per hour.
Minimum Wage Eligibility and Exemptions
In the state of Wyoming, the federal minimum wage applies, which is $7.25 per hour. This wage applies to most employees in Wyoming, with certain exceptions. According to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), employees must be at least 16 years old to work in most non-farm jobs and at least 18 to work in non-farm jobs declared hazardous by the Secretary of Labor. Youths aged 14 and 15 may work outside school hours in non-manufacturing, non-mining, non-hazardous jobs with certain work hours restrictions. Different rules apply in agricultural employment.
Certain occupations and establishments are exempt from the minimum wage, and/or overtime pay provisions. Some employers incorrectly classify workers as independent contractors when they are actually employees under the FLSA. Employees (unless exempt) are entitled to the FLSA's minimum wage and overtime pay protections and correctly classified independent contractors are not.
Minimum Wage Considerations and Compliance Tips
As a food business employer in Wyoming, it's crucial to understand the key minimum wage legal and compliance considerations. The minimum wage in Wyoming is $7.25 per hour, which aligns with the federal minimum wage. However, for tipped employees, such as those in the food service industry, the minimum cash wage is $2.13 per hour. Employers can use a “tip credit” of $5.12 per hour against the minimum wage, provided the employee earns more than $30 per month in tips. This ensures that the combined amount the employee receives from the employer and in tips is at least the minimum wage.
Employers must also be aware that local wage laws may apply to employees who are working from home, so they need to know where their workers are located and what the laws are in those locations. To ensure compliance with both state and federal labor laws, employers are advised to display the 2024 Complete Labor Law Poster, which includes the FLSA – Federal Minimum Wage notice and the Wyoming Minimum Wage notice.
FAQs
- What is the current minimum wage in Wyoming? The current minimum wage in Wyoming is $7.25 per hour.
- Are there any exceptions to the minimum wage in Wyoming? Yes, exceptions include tipped employees, certain student workers, and other exempt occupations.
- What is the minimum wage for tipped employees in Wyoming? Tipped employees must be paid a cash wage of at least $2.13 per hour.
Information Source Links
- Wyoming Minimum Wage
- Federal Minimum Wage
- Wyoming minimum wage exemptions
- Federal Fair Labor Standards act
- 2024 Complete Labor Law Poster
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