The minimum wage in Arizona is $15.15 per hour, which is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Tipped employees must be paid at least $12.15 per hour, but employers must ensure wages and tips combined equal at least the minimum wage.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage in Arizona is $28.15. Wages vary by occupation, industry, and location.
A guide to hourly labor laws in Arizona
$15.15 (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 23-363) (DOL State Minimum Wages).
$12.15, or minimum wage less $3. Wage and tips must total at least minimum wage (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 23-363) (DoL).
Paid at 1.5 times their regular pay for hours over 40 per workweek (FLSA).
No state or federal law requiring meal breaks. Federal law allows unpaid, non-working, bonafide meal breaks over 30 minutes; exceptions may apply (29 C.F.R. § 785.19) (DoL).
None required under state/federal law. If employers provide breaks, those lasting 5–20 minutes are paid breaks under federal law (29 C.F.R. § 785.18).
Arizona employers may only withhold wages under certain situations, such as a good faith dispute as to the wages owed. Third-party deductions benefitting the employer may not reduce wages below the applicable minimum (29 C.F.R. § 4.168) (29 US Code § 203) (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 23-352>).
The earlier of the end of the next regular pay period or within seven working days (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 23.353).
At least two days per month, no more than 16 days apart (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 23-351).
- Employers with 15+ employees: At least one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 40 earned hours of paid sick time annually.
- Employers with less than 15 employees: Up to 24 hours per year at the same rate (Ariz. Rev. Sat. § 23-372).
No paid leave laws. Employees may take up to 12 unpaid weeks in a one-year period for qualifying conditions under federal law (FMLA).
- School holidays: 40 hours per week; 8 hours per day.
- School session: 18 hours per week; three hours per day.
- Hours: No work after 7 p.m., year-round (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 23-233).
- Restrictions: Job restrictions apply to retail food establishments, including cooking, baking, and servicing food machinery (Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 23-232).
No state law. No federal laws apply to non-hazardous work (DoL).
What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
What is a good hourly wage?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
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