Michigan Minimum Wage 2025
Michigan’s current minimum wage is $10.56. MI Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity – Wage & Hour
As set forth by Michigan’s legislature and its new minimum wage requirements, in subsequent years, the Michigan’s minimum wage rate is scheduled for an annual increase as follows except the minimum wage will not increase or be subject to delay if the unemployment rate for Michigan is 8.5% or greater:
- January 1, 2026: $10.80
- January 1, 2027: $11.04
- January 1, 2028: $11.29
- January 1, 2029: $11.54
- January 1, 2030: $11.79
- January 1, 2031: $12.05
The unemployment rate used to determine if the scheduled minimum wage planned increase will not occur is based on the unemployment rate for Michigan as determined by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, United States Department of Labor. MI Statute 408.934
Michigan minimum wage rate laws apply to employers who employ two or more employees over the age of 16 at the same time within a calendar year. MI Statute 408.932
Michigan employers must also comply with federal minimum wage laws, which currently sets the federal minimum wage at $7.25. See FLSA: Minimum Wage.
If an employer chooses to pay employees minimum wage, the employer must pay those employees in accordance with the minimum wage law, either federal or state, that results in the employees being paid the higher wage. In most instances in Michigan, the Michigan minimum hourly wage rate will apply as it generally guarantees a higher wage rate for employees than federal law.
Youth minimum wage
Michigan wage laws allow employers to pay youth 17 years of age and younger a wage that is 85% of the standard minimum wage. MI Laws 408.414b
Tipped minimum wage
Michigan’s minimum wage for tipped employees is $3.93. MI Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity – Wage & Hour
Michigan’s current rate is 38% of its standard minimum wage. MI Statute 408.934d
Michigan defines gratuities as tips or monetary contributions voluntarily paid by customers to employees for services performed and that the employee reports to the employer to comply with the federal insurance contribution act, 26 USC 3101 to 3128. MI Statute 408.934d
An employer may pay an employee the tipped minimum wage if:
- the employee receives gratuities in the course of employment;
- the gratuities received by the employee are equal to or greater than the difference between the tipped minimum wage and the standard minimum wage;
- the gratuities are included on the employee’s declaration for federal insurance contribution act purposes; and
- the employer notifies the employee of the rules governing tipped employees.
Tip pooling and sharing
Michigan’s minimum hourly rates law does not address tip or gratuity pooling or sharing. There is no provision in Michigan law that prohibits an employer from requiring employees from participating in tip or gratuity pooling or sharing agreements. The standards set forth by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act related to tip/gratuity pooling may provide reasonable guidance.
Subminimum wage
Employees with disabilities
Michigan minimum wage laws allow employers to pay employees with disabilities a subminimum wage rate lower than the standard minimum wage if they are covered by section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act or, if not covered, if they obtain a for a wage deviation certificate from Michigan’s Department of Consumer and Industry Services to do so. MI Statute 408.934c; MI Regs. 408.771-786
The subminimum wage set by the Department of Consumer and Industry Services will be commensurate with the disabled employee’s ability to perform the work for which he or she was hired. MI Regs. 408.771-786
Trainees
Michigan minimum wage laws allow employers to pay 18 and 19-year-olds a subminimum training wage of $4.25 an hour for the first 90 days of employment. Employers may not displace any employee to hire an individual at the lower wage rate. MI Laws 408.934b
Apprentices
Michigan minimum wage laws allow employers to pay apprentices a subminimum wage rate lower than the standard minimum wage. To be able to pay the lower rate, employers must submit an application to do so with Michigan’s Department of Consumer and Industry Services which is responsible for setting a suitable wage rate. MI Laws 408.934c
Learners
Michigan minimum wage laws allow employers to pay learners a subminimum wage rate lower than the standard minimum wage. To be able to pay the lower rate, employers must submit an application with Michigan’s Department of Consumer and Industry Services which is responsible for setting a suitable wage rate. MI Laws 408.934c
Student learners
Michigan minimum wage laws do not allow employers to pay student learners a subminimum wage rate that is less than the standard minimum wage.
Student workers
Michigan minimum wage laws do not allow employers to pay student workers a subminimum wage rate that is less than the standard minimum wage.
