The minimum wage in Indiana is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. Tipped employees must be paid at least $2.13 per hour, but employers must ensure wages and tips combined equal at least the minimum wage. Employers may pay a sub-minimum training wage of $4.25 per hour to learners and employees under 18 for the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment.
A guide to hourly labor laws in Indiana
$7.25 (Ind. Code § 22-2-2-4) (29 US Code § 206).
$2.13, totaling at least minimum wage after tips (Ind. Code § 22-2-2-4).
Hours exceeding 40 in a fixed week are overtime, paid at 1.5 times the regular rate (29 US Code § 207) (DoL).
No state or federal law requiring meal breaks. Federal law allows unpaid, non-working, bona-fide meal breaks over 30 minutes; exceptions may apply (29 C.F.R. § 785.19) (DoL).
- Children under 18: One or two rest breaks totaling 30 minutes if they work six or more consecutive hours (IN DoL).
- Adults: No state or federal law requires rest breaks. Breaks lasting 5–20 minutes must be paid (29 C.F.R. § 785.18).
Employers can only make wage deductions for specific purposes such as those required by law or authorized in writing. Third-party deductions benefitting the employer may not reduce wages below the applicable minimum (Ind. Code § 22-2-6-2) (29 C.F.R. § 4.168) (29 US Code § 203).
Payable on the next regular payday after termination or resignation (Ind. Code § 22-2-9-2).
Semimonthly or biweekly, if requested (Ind. Code § 22-2-5-1).
Indiana has no state or federally-mandated paid sick leave. Policies are determined by the employer or through collective bargaining agreements (DoL).
No Indiana paid leave law. The federal FMLA provides eligible employees up to 12 unpaid weeks per one-year period for a qualifying medical condition (FMLA).
- School session: No working during school hours; three hours per day; 18 hours per week.
- Non-school session: Eight hours per day; 40 hours per week.
- Working Hours: Only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., extended until 9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day (Ind. Code § 22-2-18.1-1 et seq.) (29 C.F.R. 570.35).
- School session: Eight hours per school day and 30 hours per school week. No working between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. on school nights.
- Non-school session: Eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. No working between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. on non-school nights (Ind. Code § 22-2-18.1-1 et seq.). (29 C.F.R. § 570.35).
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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