Minimum Wage in El Paso, TX (2026)
El Paso, Texas follows the Texas state minimum wage of $7.25/hour in 2026. As of 2026-09-10, TipFig identified no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance for El Paso, so employers apply the state rate shown below. Below: how the federal, state, and local layers interact, the tipped-wage rules, and the official sources behind every figure.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · 2026-09-10 · reviewed against primary tipping and tax sources
Applicable minimum wage in El Paso (2026)
$7.25/hr
Set by Texas state law — the highest applicable layer (federal, state, or local) an employer must pay.
Federal, State & Local Layers
Federal Min
$7.25/hr
TX State Min
$7.25/hr
Local (City) Min
None — follows state
Tipped Cash Wage
$2.13/hr
State Effective
In effect since July 24, 2009 (Texas adopts the federal rate)
Tip Credit?
Yes
Texas Labor Code § 62.051 adopts the federal minimum wage, and § 62.0515 (plus Local Government Code Ch. 229) preempts cities and counties — including El Paso — from setting a higher local rate. The applicable wage is the federal $7.25/hour.
How the Layers Interact
Three levels of government can set a minimum wage: the federal floor (Fair Labor Standards Act, $7.25/hour in 2026), the state rate, and any local (city or county) ordinance. By law, an employer must pay the highest rate that applies to the worker. When a state or city sets a rate above the federal floor, the higher rate governs; the federal rate is the backstop.
In El Paso, no local ordinance overrides the Texas state rate, so the state minimum of $7.25/hour is the applicable wage. Tipped employees may be paid a lower direct cash wage only where state law allows a tip credit; California and other no-tip-credit states require tipped workers to receive the full minimum wage before tips.
Related TipFig Tools
Turn the minimum wage into take-home pay and compare hourly vs. salary with our calculators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in El Paso, Texas in 2026?
As of 2026-09-10, El Paso has no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance that TipFig identified, so employers apply the Texas state minimum wage of $7.25/hour (effective In effect since July 24, 2009 (Texas adopts the federal rate)). The federal floor is $7.25/hour; the higher state rate governs. Source: Texas Workforce Commission — Texas Minimum Wage Law.
Does El Paso have its own minimum wage or follow Texas state law?
As of 2026-09-10, El Paso follows Texas state law ($7.25/hour). Texas Labor Code § 62.051 adopts the federal minimum wage, and § 62.0515 (plus Local Government Code Ch. 229) preempts cities and counties — including El Paso — from setting a higher local rate. The applicable wage is the federal $7.25/hour.
What is the tipped minimum wage in El Paso?
In Texas, tipped employees may be paid a cash wage of $2.13/hour, with a tip credit making up the difference to the full $7.25/hour minimum. If tips don't bring total pay to the minimum, the employer must make up the shortfall.
Where can I verify the El Paso minimum wage?
The authoritative figures are published by Texas Workforce Commission — Texas Minimum Wage Law (https://www.twc.texas.gov/) and the U.S. Department of Labor Consolidated Minimum Wage Table. Minimum wages change frequently; always confirm the current rate with the official agency before making wage or payroll decisions.
Other Minimum-Wage City Pages
Minimum-wage figures are compiled from public government sources for informational use and may change; verify with the official agency before making wage or payroll decisions. State minimum-wage source: Texas Workforce Commission — Texas Minimum Wage Law (retrieved 2026-09-10). Federal minimum wage: U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Consolidated Minimum Wage Table (Effective July 1, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-10). This page is not legal advice. See TipFig's Disclaimer.