Louisiana . Wage & Hour . Updated April 2026

Louisiana defaults to the Federal Minimum Wage of $7.25/hour.

Louisiana is one of five states that does not have its own state minimum wage law. Therefore, employers in Louisiana must comply with the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour, as established by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Furthermore, the Louisiana Revised Statutes explicitly preempt any local ordinances that attempt to set a different minimum wage.

Standard Minimum Wage
$7.25/hour
Tipped Minimum Wage
$2.13/hour
Local Ordinances
Preempted
Active

Federal $7.25 Floor (No State Min Wage)

Enforces $7.25 federal minimum wage. LA is one of 5 states with no state minimum wage law. La. R.S. 23:642 preempts local ordinances.

Block wage below $7.25/hr
Flag wage below $2.13/hr (tipped)
Always running

What those rules do as a Louisiana shift is created.

Teambridge automatically applies the federal minimum wage to all non-exempt employees in Louisiana, ensuring compliance even in the absence of a state-specific law. Our system also accounts for the federal tipped minimum wage and blocks any attempts to circumvent the state's preemption of local wage ordinances.

Blocks sub-minimum wage

Any shift entered for a non-exempt employee in Louisiana that calculates to an effective hourly rate below $7.25 is automatically blocked or flagged for review, preventing violations of the federal minimum wage.

Flags tipped wage discrepancies

For employees designated as tipped, Teambridge flags any shift where the combined cash wage and tips do not meet the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, ensuring employers make up the difference.

Avoids local ordinance conflicts

Because Louisiana law preempts local minimum wage ordinances (La. R.S. 23:642), Teambridge ignores any locally-defined wage rates, ensuring adherence solely to the federal standard for minimum wage calculations.

Deploy Louisiana wage rules for your business.

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The rule, plainly stated

Louisiana defers to the federal minimum wage.

Louisiana does not have a state-specific minimum wage law. As such, employers within the state are subject to the federal minimum wage requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Additionally, Louisiana state law explicitly prohibits political subdivisions from establishing their own minimum wage rates.

U.S. Department of Labor: Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

The FLSA establishes minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in Federal, State, and local governments. The current federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.

Louisiana Revised Statutes (La. R.S. § 23:642) - Preemption of Local Ordinances

"No governing authority of a political subdivision shall establish or mandate a minimum wage rate that is different from the state or federal minimum wage rate. This Section shall supersede any local ordinance, order, or regulation that establishes or mandates a minimum wage rate that is different from the state or federal minimum wage rate."

Standard Minimum Wage

For most non-exempt employees in Louisiana, the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, aligning with the federal FLSA standard. This rate applies to all hours worked, and employers must ensure that compensation for all hours worked meets or exceeds this threshold.

Tipped Employees

Employers of tipped employees in Louisiana are also governed by the FLSA. The federal minimum cash wage for tipped employees is $2.13 per hour, provided that the employee's tips, when combined with the cash wage, total at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. If the tips do not bring the employee's earnings up to the federal minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.

On autopilot

Teambridge ensures Louisiana wages are always compliant.

Teambridge's compliance engine is pre-configured with Louisiana's unique wage and hour framework, guaranteeing that your payroll automatically adheres to federal minimum wage standards and the state's preemption laws. Focus on your business, not on complex wage calculations.

01 . Setup

Instantaneous Federal Minimum Wage Application

Upon onboarding, Teambridge automatically designates all Louisiana-based non-exempt employees to be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour, with no state-specific override.

02 . Shift Entry

Real-time Wage Compliance Checks

As shifts are entered, Teambridge's system continuously monitors the effective hourly rate. Any shift that falls below the $7.25 federal minimum wage for non-tipped employees, or $2.13 cash wage for tipped employees (before tips), is immediately flagged or blocked.

03 . Payroll Processing

Automated Tip Credit Adjustments

For tipped employees, Teambridge calculates the tip credit and ensures that the combined cash wage and reported tips meet the federal $7.25/hour minimum. If there's a shortfall, the system automatically adds the necessary employer contribution.

04 . Updates

Proactive Regulatory Monitoring

Teambridge continuously tracks federal wage law changes. Should the federal minimum wage increase, our system updates automatically, protecting your business from outdated compliance rules.

FAQ

People also ask.

Does Louisiana have a state minimum wage?
No, Louisiana does not have a state minimum wage law. Employers in Louisiana must adhere to the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour, as established by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
What is the minimum wage for tipped employees in Louisiana?
For tipped employees in Louisiana, the federal minimum cash wage is $2.13 per hour. However, the employer must ensure that the employee's total earnings, including tips, meet or exceed the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for all hours worked.
Can local governments in Louisiana set their own minimum wage?
No, Louisiana Revised Statutes (La. R.S. § 23:642) explicitly preempts local ordinances from establishing or mandating a minimum wage rate different from the state or federal minimum wage rate.
Are there any exceptions to the federal minimum wage in Louisiana?
Yes, certain employees may be exempt from minimum wage requirements under federal law, such as certain executive, administrative, professional, and outside sales employees. Additionally, specific rules apply to full-time students, learners, and employees with disabilities under certain certifications.
What happens if an employer pays less than the federal minimum wage in Louisiana?
Employers who fail to pay the federal minimum wage are in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Employees can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, and may be entitled to recover unpaid wages, liquidated damages, and attorney's fees.
How often does the federal minimum wage change?
The federal minimum wage is not increased on a fixed schedule. Changes require an act of Congress. The last increase was in 2009.