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Small-business owners in the Volunteer State know how important it is to stay up to date on Tennessee minimum wage regulations. You want to make sure you’re complying, of course. But staying aware of upcoming changes also lets you better plan for the future of your business.
That’s why we put together this quick guide with a summary of minimum wage laws and restrictions in Tennessee.
Learn how to formalize and grow your business. Check out the Employer Launchpad.
What is the minimum wage in Tennessee?
The minimum wage in Tennessee is $7.25, which is the same as the federal minimum wage. The last time Tennessee chose to raise its minimum wage was in 2009 when the mandated hourly pay went up to the current $7.25. Local governments in Tennessee continue to raise the minimum wage at the same rate as the state.
Tennessee is one of five states that does not have a minimum wage law, or exemptions for certain categories of workers, like tipped employees and full-time students. When a state doesn’t have a minimum wage, then the federal rate applies. Tennessee also doesn’t have an overtime law, so federal overtime rules apply.
Are there plans to institute a minimum wage in Tennessee?
There are no current plans to implement a state minimum wage in Tennessee, but there’s been some conversation about it.
In March of 2022, Sen. Sara Kyle (D-Memphis) introduced Senate Bill 2670. The bill sought a gradual Tennessee minimum wage increase to $15 from the current $7.25 per hour. However, the bill failed in committee.
Will the federal minimum wage increase beyond 2024?
There are no plans to increase the federal minimum wage, something that would have to be approved by Congress. Tennessee has not increased its minimum wage since 2009 when it went up $1.67 from $5.58. It’s been over ten years years since the federal minimum wage was increased — almost the longest period that it has remained unchanged since it was first established in 1938.
There has been a recent push to increase the federal minimum wage. In 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation to raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by October 2025. However, the bill did not pass the Senate.
In Tennessee, some organizations are showing efforts to try and increase the minimum wage quicker than the state. For example, in 2021 the University of Memphis decided to raise the minimum wage for employees to $15 an hour. This is more than double the Tennessee state minimum wage and federal minimum wage. Even so, the state of Tennessee has yet to pass a bill aimed to raise the state minimum wage to $15 within the decade.
As proposals to increase the minimum wage in Tennessee continue to be considered at the state and local level, it is not yet certain when and how the Tennessee minimum wage will change in the future.
How should I prepare for changes to the minimum wage as a business owner?
Even in a state like Tennessee that has no minimum wage law, it’s a good idea to discuss federal minimum wage law with your accountant and lawyer to ensure that your business remains in compliance, like making sure you get an EIN.
Also, since federal minimum wage changes depend on the current party in Congress or the Oval Office, it makes sense to prepare for various scenarios. Here are some other steps you can take to make sure your business is ready for anything:
- Reevaluate your staffing: Take a look at your hourly, weekly, and monthly sales to determine if your current staffing levels are appropriate. For example, perhaps you only need to hire temporary employees during your busy seasons instead of taking on more full-time regular staff.
- Hire the best: Hiring the right people is always important, but doubly so when you operate a small business. So take your time and cast a wide net when recruiting new employees. And, once you have your team in place, make employee retention a priority by offering them a path to growth and development and making your business an attractive place to work.
- Upgrade your technology: When you automate complicated, time-consuming aspects of management, like payroll, you can spend more time focusing on issues like staffing and growing your business. Our payroll features allow you to import timecards from the Square POS, Square Team app, or third-party partners, so tracking your staff’s hours happens automatically.
If you’re navigating the Tennessee minimum wage, we are here to help your small business succeed. We have hardware and tools with pricing options for small businesses, so you can worry less about outgoing expenses and more about growing your business.
