Kentucky Minimum Wage
KRS 337.275
Regulatory Snapshot: Kentucky Minimum Wage
Kentucky Minimum Wage (KRS 337.275) is an enacted law in Kentucky under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2009-07-24 and becomes effective on 2009-07-24. Kentucky 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 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 Kentucky within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in KRS 337.275 itself.
Applicability under Kentucky Minimum Wage: Employers with 2+ employees in Kentucky. Penalty exposure is documented as: Labor Cabinet enforcement. Back pay recovery. Notable exemptions: Agriculture, domestic service, outside salespeople..
Summary
Kentucky minimum wage equals federal: $7.25/hr.
Key Requirements
$7.25/hr. Tipped: $2.13/hr + tips. Preemption law prohibits local minimum wage ordinances.
Penalties
Labor Cabinet enforcement. Back pay recovery.
Applicability
Employers with 2+ employees in Kentucky.
Exemptions
Agriculture, domestic service, outside salespeople.
Official Source
https://labor.ky.gov/Standards/Pages/Minimum-Wage.aspxFrequently 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. Kentucky 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 Kentucky Minimum Wage enacted?
Kentucky Minimum Wage was enacted on 2009-07-24 and became effective on 2009-07-24. It was introduced as KRS 337.275.
What are the penalties for violating Kentucky Minimum Wage?
Labor Cabinet enforcement. Back pay recovery. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Kentucky Minimum Wage apply to small businesses?
Employers with 2+ employees in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Kentucky 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 Kentucky Minimum Wage?
The official text of Kentucky Minimum Wage (KRS 337.275) is available from the Kentucky 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.
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| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |