What is the Minimum Wage in Arizona?

A lot of people in Arizona and across the USA are asking: What is the minimum wage in Arizona? This is a question that is on the minds of many people due to the prevalence of low-wage jobs in the state. The answers may vary slightly, depending on the local ordinances in certain cities and counties, but the base state minimum wage applies to all employers within the state.

The Arizona Minimum Wage Act

The Arizona Minimum Wage Act (AMWA) was adopted in 2006 and currently establishes the base minimum wage for all employees in Arizona. This law has been amended a few times, most recently in 2016. The current minimum wage for all employees in the state is $11.00 per hour. Employees of business with fewer than fifteen employees may earn $10.50 per hour, but only if they make more than the base minimum wage when considering tips and other compensation. Employers are also responsible for paying employees overtime wages if they work using a-40 hour work week.

Cities and Counties with Different Minimum Wage Policies

The AMWA is the minimum wage requirement set forth by the state, but certain cities and counties across Arizona have adopted local ordinances that override the state law. For example, Tucson, Flagstaff, and Tempe have established a different minimum wage requirement. Tucson’s ordinance sets the minimum wage at $12.75 per hour, while Flagstaff and Tempe have established the minimum wage requirement of $15.00 per hour.

Conclusion

The minimum wage requirement in Arizona varies depending on the local ordinances. For employers located in cities or counties that do not have ordinances that override the state law, the base minimum wage is currently set at $11.00 per hour. Employees of businesses with fewer than fifteen staff can earn$10.50 per hour, provided that their total compensation, including tips and other benefits, is more than the base minimum wage. Additionally, employers in certain cities, such as Tucson, Flagstaff, and Tempe, are required to pay a higher minimum wage than what the state law stipulates.