Wisconsin Minimum Wage
Wis. Stat. 104.02
Regulatory Snapshot: Wisconsin Minimum Wage
Wisconsin Minimum Wage (Wis. Stat. 104.02) is an enacted law in Wisconsin under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2009-07-24 and becomes effective on 2009-07-24. Wisconsin currently reports 1 tracked regulations with 1 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 17/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Wisconsin within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in Wis. Stat. 104.02 itself.
Applicability under Wisconsin Minimum Wage: All Wisconsin employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Dept of Workforce Development enforcement. Notable exemptions: Agricultural workers, outside salespeople..
Summary
Wisconsin minimum wage equals federal: $7.25/hr. Tipped: $2.33/hr.
Key Requirements
$7.25/hr. Tipped: $2.33/hr + tips to $7.25. Opportunity wage (under 20, first 90 days): $5.90/hr.
Penalties
Dept of Workforce Development enforcement.
Applicability
All Wisconsin employers.
Exemptions
Agricultural workers, outside salespeople.
Official Source
https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/er/laborstandards/mw.htmFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Wisconsin is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Wisconsin Minimum Wage enacted?
Wisconsin Minimum Wage was enacted on 2009-07-24 and became effective on 2009-07-24. It was introduced as Wis. Stat. 104.02.
What are the penalties for violating Wisconsin Minimum Wage?
Dept of Workforce Development enforcement. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Wisconsin Minimum Wage apply to small businesses?
All Wisconsin employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Wisconsin compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Wisconsin has a regulatory strictness score of 17/100, based on 1 enacted regulation out of 1 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Wisconsin Minimum Wage?
The official text of Wisconsin Minimum Wage (Wis. Stat. 104.02) is available from the Wisconsin legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
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Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |