The current Nevada minimum wage rate is $12.00. Employers are required to pay employees Nevada’s minimum wage rate for every hour worked unless the employer or employee is exempt by state or federal law.
Regarding the tip wage rate, Nevada does not allow employers to pay employees who earn tips a tipped minimum wage rate lower than the standard minimum wage rates. Additionally, Nevada’s laws may allow employers, in limited situations, to pay certain employees a subminimum wage.
Nevada minimum wage 2025
On July 1, 2024, the minimum wage increased to $12.00. Unlike previously, there will no longer be a two-tier system for minimum wage based on whether an employer provides the employee health benefits or not. NV Constitution, Art. 15, Sec. 16.; NV Statute 608.250; NV Labor Commission – Minimum Wage
Nevada’s constitution requires an annual review of its minimum wage. The minimum wage must be increased by the percentage the cost of living has changed from December 31 in the given you over the level as of December 31, 2004, up to three (3) percent. The cost of living change is based on the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor. Any change to the minimum wage will be announced by the Governor or a designated state agency by April 1 of a given year and the change will take effect July 1 of that same year.
Moreover, Nevada’s minimum hourly rate may not be lower than the federal minimum wage and will be adjusted accordingly when necessary. A change in Nevada’s minimum wage due to an increase in the federal minimum wage may take the place of the annual cost of living increase. NV Constitution, Art. 15, Sec. 16 Nevada statute 608.250 will supersede the annual minimum wage increase until 2025. NV Statute 608.250; NV Labor Commission – Minimum Wage
NOTE: On November 7, 2022, voters passed a change to Nevada’s constitution and minimum wage rules as follows:
- Beginning July 1, 2024, the minimum wage will be $12.00.
- There will no longer be different minimum wage rates for employees who receive health benefits and those who do not
- The minimum wage will not a be adjusted each year based on cost-of-living increases
Nevada Question 2, Minimum Wage Amendment (2022)
Nevada employers must also comply with federal minimum wage laws set forth in the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which currently sets the federal minimum wage rate 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 Nevada, the Nevada minimum hourly wage rate will apply as it generally guarantees a higher wage rate for employees than federal law.
Nevada’s wage and hour laws require employers to pay nonexempt employees overtime pay. The overtime rate is typically one-half times an employee’s regular rate.
Tip minimum wage
Nevada does not have a wage rate for tipped employees that is lower than the standard minimum wage and employers may not rely on tips or gratuities received by employees as a credit towards its obligation to pay the standard minimum wage. NV Constitution, Art. 15, Sec. 16; NV Statute 608.160
Tip pooling and sharing
Nevada minimum wage laws allow employees to enter into agreements to divide tips or gratuities amount themselves. NV Statute 608.160 Also, employers may required employees to participate in tip pools that include employees of different ranks if:
- all tips are distributed amongst the employees, and
- the employer does not keep any portion of the tips for themselves.
Wynn Las Vegas, LLC v. Baldonado, 311 P.3d 1179 (Nev. 2013); NV Labor Commission – Tip Pooling
Subminimum wage
Employees with disabilities
Nevada minimum wage laws allow employers to pay employees a subminimum wage rate lower than the standard minimum wage when the employee with a developmental disability participates in a jobs and day training services program that have received certificates from the Division of Public and Behavioral Health of the Department of Health and Human Services. Such employees with disabilities are exempt from Nevada’s minimum wage requirements. NV Statute 608.255; NV Admin. Code 608.200
Trainees
Nevada minimum wage laws do not allow employers to pay trainees a subminimum wage rate that is less than the standard minimum wage.
Apprentices
Nevada minimum wage laws do not allow employers to pay apprentices a subminimum wage rate that is less than the standard minimum wage. Minimum reasonable and profitable wages for apprentices in the construction industry are established by Nevada Apprenticeship Council. NV Admin. Code 610.490.
Learners
Nevada minimum wage laws do not allow employers to pay learners a subminimum wage rate that is less than the standard minimum wage.
Student learners
Nevada 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
Nevada minimum wage laws do not allow employers to pay student workers a subminimum wage rate that is less than the standard minimum wage.
