Employment & Worker Protection · Wisconsin
Wisconsin Minimum Wage
Wis. Stat. 104.02 - enacted in Wisconsin.
- Enacted
- Status
- 2009
- Enacted
- 51
- States with employment & worker protection laws
- 17/100
- Wisconsin strictness
The bottom line
Wisconsin Minimum Wage is an enacted law in Wisconsin, part of a mature, broadly-adopted employment & worker protection landscape.
- Enacted
- effective 2009-07-24
- 51
- states have employment & worker protection laws
- 107/107
- employment & worker protection laws enacted nationally
- 17/100
- Wisconsin strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Wisconsin legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
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 compiled this entry's data on 2026-03-18; consult the linked official source for the current, authoritative text.
Nationally, 107 employment & worker protection statutes have been enacted 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.htmHow Wisconsin compares on employment & worker protection
51 states regulate employment & worker protection - Wisconsin ranks #50 by overall regulatory strictness. Bar = state strictness score (0–100).
| # | State | Strictness |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 100 |
| 2 | Colorado | 76 |
| 3 | Texas | 69 |
| 4 | Connecticut | 62 |
| 5 | Illinois | 62 |
| 6 | Minnesota | 62 |
| 7 | New York | 62 |
| 8 | Oregon | 62 |
| 9 | Washington | 62 |
| 10 | Delaware | 59 |
Frequently 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 this data was compiled (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for employment & worker protection compliance.
- Wisconsin Minimum Wage is enacted in Wisconsin, effective 2009-07-24. Official source
- 51 states now regulate employment & worker protection; Wisconsin ranks #50 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Wisconsin tracks across all five policy areas. Wisconsin profile
Summaries are general information, not legal advice; always confirm against the official statute and qualified counsel.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Verify with the official Wisconsin source →
Every figure on PlainRegWatch is rendered directly from state source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on federal and state source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.