Employment & Worker Protection · Iowa
Iowa Minimum Wage
Iowa Code 91D.1 - enacted in Iowa.
- Enacted
- Status
- 2009
- Enacted
- 51
- States with employment & worker protection laws
- 31/100
- Iowa strictness
The bottom line
Iowa Minimum Wage is an enacted law in Iowa, 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
- 31/100
- Iowa strictness score
Data compiled 2026-03-18 from the official Iowa legislative record linked below; laws can be amended or repealed after this date.
Regulatory Snapshot: Iowa Minimum Wage
Iowa Minimum Wage (Iowa Code 91D.1) is an enacted law in Iowa under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2009-07-24 and becomes effective on 2009-07-24. Iowa currently reports 2 tracked regulations with 2 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 31/100 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 Iowa within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in Iowa Code 91D.1 itself.
Applicability under Iowa Minimum Wage: All Iowa employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: Iowa Workforce Development enforcement. Notable exemptions: Federal exemptions apply..
Summary
Iowa minimum wage equals federal: $7.25/hr. State law prohibits local minimum wage ordinances.
Key Requirements
$7.25/hr. Tipped: $4.35/hr. Local governments prohibited from setting higher rates.
Penalties
Iowa Workforce Development enforcement.
Applicability
All Iowa employers.
Exemptions
Federal exemptions apply.
Official Source
https://www.iowadivisionoflabor.gov/minimum-wageHow Iowa compares on employment & worker protection
51 states regulate employment & worker protection - Iowa ranks #28 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. Iowa 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 Iowa Minimum Wage enacted?
Iowa Minimum Wage was enacted on 2009-07-24 and became effective on 2009-07-24. It was introduced as Iowa Code 91D.1.
What are the penalties for violating Iowa Minimum Wage?
Iowa 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 Iowa Minimum Wage apply to small businesses?
All Iowa 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 Iowa compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Iowa has a regulatory strictness score of 31/100, based on 2 enacted regulations out of 2 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 Iowa Minimum Wage?
The official text of Iowa Minimum Wage (Iowa Code 91D.1) is available from the Iowa 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.
More Iowa Regulations
The bottom line
This law is already in force - here's what matters for employment & worker protection compliance.
- Iowa Minimum Wage is enacted in Iowa, effective 2009-07-24. Official source
- 51 states now regulate employment & worker protection; Iowa ranks #28 by strictness - compare requirements before you operate across state lines. Compare states
- See every regulation Iowa tracks across all five policy areas. Iowa 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 Iowa 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.