A 16-year-old working in Minnesota must be paid at least $11.41 per hour as of January 1, 2026. That is the full statewide minimum wage, and it applies to every employer regardless of size. The one exception is a training wage of $9.31 per hour that an employer may pay during a worker’s first 90 consecutive days on the job. Teens working inside Minneapolis or St. Paul earn more under city ordinances.
Minnesota does not have a separate, lower minimum wage for workers under 18. Under Minnesota Statutes Section 177.24, every employer in the state must pay each employee at least the statewide minimum, which adjusts annually for inflation and cannot decrease.1Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Statutes Section 177.24 – Payment of Minimum Wages The state no longer splits the minimum between large and small employers; a single rate applies to all.2Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Minimum Wage in Minnesota
The 90-Day Training Wage
The one situation where a 16-year-old can legally earn less than $11.41 per hour is the training wage. An employer may pay any worker under age 20 a reduced rate of $9.31 per hour for the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment.2Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Minimum Wage in Minnesota The clock starts on the first day of work and runs continuously. It does not pause on days the teen is not scheduled.
On day 91, the employer must pay at least the full $11.41. Employers also cannot lay off or cut the hours of an existing worker to replace them with a new hire at the training rate.1Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Statutes Section 177.24 – Payment of Minimum Wages The training wage itself adjusts annually for inflation along with the standard minimum.
Tips Do Not Count Toward the Minimum
Some states allow employers to credit tips against the minimum wage. Minnesota does not. State law prohibits any employer from directly or indirectly counting tips toward the minimum wage.1Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Minnesota Statutes Section 177.24 – Payment of Minimum Wages A 16-year-old working as a host, server, or busser must still receive at least $11.41 per hour (or $9.31 during the training-wage window) in base pay, before any tips. Tips belong to the employee.
Minneapolis and St. Paul Pay More
If the workplace sits inside Minneapolis or St. Paul city limits, the city rate controls instead of the state figure.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis requires every employer to pay at least $16.37 per hour as of January 1, 2026, regardless of employer size or employee age.3City of Minneapolis. Minimum Wage There is no youth rate and no training wage under Minneapolis law, and tips cannot be credited against it. Future increases are capped at 2.5 percent per year.
St. Paul
St. Paul phases its minimum wage in by business size and does allow a youth rate. As of January 1, 2026, businesses with 101 or more employees must pay at least $16.37 per hour. Effective July 1, 2026, businesses with 6 to 100 employees must also pay $16.37, and micro businesses with five or fewer employees must pay at least $14.25.4Saint Paul Minnesota. Minimum Wage
Workers aged 14 to 17 may be paid 85 percent of the city’s small-employer minimum wage, rounded up to the nearest nickel, during their first 90 consecutive days of employment. After 90 days, or on the worker’s 18th birthday if that comes first, the regular city rate for the employer’s size applies.4Saint Paul Minnesota. Minimum Wage
If a 16-Year-Old Is Being Underpaid
Check the paystub against the right rate for the job’s location: $11.41 statewide, $16.37 in Minneapolis, or the applicable St. Paul figure. Subtract the training-wage window if the teen is still in the first 90 days. If the pay falls short, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry enforces the state minimum wage and can order back pay and civil penalties against the employer. Minneapolis and St. Paul each enforce their own ordinances through city labor standards offices.