Minimum Wage in El Paso, TX (2026)
El Paso, Texas follows the Texas state minimum wage of $7.25/hour in 2026. As of 2026-10-15, 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 · 2026-10-15 · 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 (Texas adopts the federal FLSA statutory floor)
Tip Credit?
Yes
Texas Labor Code § 62.051 adopts the federal minimum wage, and § 62.0515 preempts cities and counties — including El Paso — from setting a higher municipal rate. The applicable minimum wage is $7.25/hr ($2.13/hr for tipped employees). City contractor living wage ordinances apply only to municipal contracts, not private employers.
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 2026-10-15, 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 (Texas adopts the federal FLSA statutory floor)). 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 2026-10-15, El Paso follows Texas state law ($7.25/hour). Texas Labor Code § 62.051 adopts the federal minimum wage, and § 62.0515 preempts cities and counties — including El Paso — from setting a higher municipal rate. The applicable minimum wage is $7.25/hr ($2.13/hr for tipped employees). City contractor living wage ordinances apply only to municipal contracts, not private employers.
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 2026-10-15). Federal minimum wage: U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Consolidated Minimum Wage Table (retrieved 2026-10-15). This page is not legal advice. See TipFig's Disclaimer.