Minimum Wage: 3 Facts About Wyoming's Minimum Wage

In many cases, a state’s minimum wage is determined by the rate the federal government sets. In fact, several states haven’t increased their minimum wage since the last federally mandated raise. The minimum wage in Wyoming, however, hasn’t been raised along with the federal rate. This is just one of the many surprising facts about the minimum wage in Wyoming.

The following are some of the other notable facts about the state’s minimum wage:

1. Wyoming has the lowest minimum wage in the nation. The state minimum wage in Wyoming is $5.15 per hour, well below the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, as noted by the U.S. Department of Labor. However, in states where the state and federal minimum wages are different, the higher amount applies. This means that workers in Wyoming earn at least $7.25 per hour regardless of the state rate.

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2. Some occupations are exempt. The minimum wage isn’t as inclusive as it seems. In fact, there are several industries and jobs where employers don’t have to abide by either the state or federal minimum wage. As the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services noted, at the federal level this includes employers who earn tips (such as restaurant servers), high school and college students, and some disabled workers who have a certificate from the Wyoming Department of Labor.

At the state level, several other groups are exempt, including people working in agriculture and domestic service, employees who work solely on commission, and certain employees working for educational, charitable, religious, or nonprofit organizations but who are not considered employees — such as volunteers.

3. State lawmakers want to raise it. In 2014, several Democratic legislators introduced House Bill 24, which would have raised the state minimum wage to $9 per hour for most workers and from $2.13 to $5 per hour for employees who depend on tips. Rep. Jim Byrd, (D-Cheyenne), the primary sponsor of the bill, said the increase was necessary because the current minimum wage is not a living wage.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle quoted Byrd as saying, "If we are truly talking about a society that takes care of its own, then we have to step up to the plate and do that. And increasing the minimum wage is the fastest and easiest way to do it."

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