What is the minimum wage in Tennessee in 2026?
Asked by: Dr. Jazmyne Herman PhD | Last update: July 7, 2026Score: 4.2/5 (16 votes)
The minimum wage in Tennessee is $7.25 per hour. Because Tennessee does not have its own state-level minimum wage law, it adheres to the federal baseline set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
Is Tennessee raising the minimum wage?
No, Tennessee is not raising its minimum wage in 2026. The state does not have its own minimum wage law, so it defaults to the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour, which has not increased since 2009. Despite proposals to raise it, including to $20/hour, no recent state legislation has passed to increase it.
Is minimum wage expected to go up in 2026?
The minimum wage in California, effective January 1, 2026, is $16.90/hour for all employers.
Who still pays $7.25 an hour?
State Minimum Wages Summary
Five states have not adopted a state minimum wage: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. Three states, Georgia, Oklahoma and Wyoming, have a minimum wage below $7.25 per hour. In all eight of these states, the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour generally applies.
Is $14 an hour good in Tennessee?
$33.2K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers. The median wage is $36.7K / yr.
Tennesseeans are divided as the state's minimum wage remains at $7.25
Is it cheaper to live in FL or TN?
Tennessee is generally cheaper to live in than Florida, with an overall cost of living approximately 13% lower, primarily driven by more affordable housing, lower property insurance, and lower taxes. While both states have no state income tax, Tennessee offers lower expenses for utilities, food, and housing, making it a better option for budget-conscious individuals.
What is $2000 a month hourly?
Earning $2,000 per month is equivalent to $𝟏𝟏.𝟓𝟒 an hour.
Which state is the lowest paid?
As of 2026, Mississippi is the lowest-paying state by median annual income, with workers earning roughly $37,500 annually. In terms of minimum wage, numerous states, including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee, have no state-mandated minimum wage, relying instead on the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour.
How much is $70,000 a year per hour?
If you make $70,000 a year, your hourly salary would be $33.65.
Did Trump raise the minimum wage?
President Donald Trump has not raised the federal minimum wage, which remains stagnant at $7.25 per hour. In fact, he revoked a prior executive order that had raised the minimum wage to $17.75 per hour for employees of federal contractors, resetting the allowable minimum for these workers to $13.30 per hour.
What is the new minimum wage likely to be in 2026?
The NLW rises by 4.1 per cent in April 2026 to £12.71. We expect this rate to stay ahead of changes in the cost of living up to March 2027 and therefore provide an increase in real terms for minimum wage workers. However, this real terms rise may be affected by the current conflict in the Middle East.
Is $40,000 a year a livable wage?
$40,000 a year is a livable wage for a single person in many parts of the U.S., particularly in areas with a lower cost of living, but it requires strict budgeting and often roommates. While possible, it generally does not allow for many luxuries and can be difficult in high-cost cities.
What is a livable wage in TN?
A livable wage in Tennessee generally requires at least $14.38 per hour for an individual, while a family of four requires roughly $18.94 per hour or more to cover basic necessities, according to 2026 estimates. However, in higher-cost areas like Nashville, a single person may need over $19 to $21+ hourly to meet a survival budget, while comfortable living may require significantly more, sometimes upwards of $75𝑘−$85𝑘 annually.
What states are raising minimum wage in 2026?
States with a new minimum wage, effective Jan. 1, 2026
- Arizona: $15.15.
- California: $16.90.
- Colorado: $15.16.
- Connecticut: $16.94.
- Hawaii: $16.
- Maine: $15.10.
- Michigan: $13.73.
- Minnesota: $11.41.
Who pays the minimum wage in Tennessee?
Although federal law allows certain employees such as disabled workers, apprentices, student workers, and messengers to be exempted from minimum wage requirements, Tennessee law requires employers to pay no less than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 to all employees. T. C. A. § 50-2-114.
How much is $90000 a year per hour?
A yearly salary of $90,000 breaks down to about $𝟒𝟑.𝟐𝟕 per hour.
How much is $20 an hour annually?
$20 an hour equals $41,600 a year before taxes.
What is a good annual salary?
A good annual salary in the US is generally considered to be above the national average of $67,920 (as of 2024), with a common, comfortable range for individuals often cited between $75,000 and $100,000. However, what defines "good" is highly subjective and depends heavily on location, family size, and cost of living, with higher amounts needed in cities like San Francisco or New York.
What state is #1 in quality of life?
Massachusetts consistently ranks #1 overall for quality of life. It leads the nation in education, healthcare access, and low uninsured rates, alongside strong economic stability and safe neighborhoods.
Can you live off $7.25 an hour?
If you're working full-time at minimum wage in America, the math is brutal: you can't afford a modest two-bedroom apartment. Not in California. Not in Mississippi. Not anywhere.
What are the top 3 richest states?
The top three richest U.S. states depend on how wealth is measured: by total economic size (GDP), economic output per person (GDP per capita), or typical resident earnings (median household income).
Can a single person live on $2000 a month?
Living on $2,000 per month is doable, but you won't be able to live just anywhere. This is important because at the time of writing the average Social Security benefit paid is $1,976 per month.
How much do I make a month if I make $300,000 a year?
If your annual salary is $300,000 , your monthly income is roughly $25,000. Simply divide your yearly income by 12 months. So, $300,000 divided by 12 equals a monthly income of $25,000.
What is $40 a week in a year?
Find this by multiplying your weekly income by 52 weeks in a year. Thus, $40 multiplied by 52 equals an annual income of $2,080.