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The state of Connecticut, on 1st January 2025, adopted a new minimum wage in order to stand at $16.35 per hour. The revision was done as mandated by Public Act 19-4, tying the state’s minimum wage to the federal Employment Cost Index (ECI).
Minors aged 14 and 15 are entitled to a minimum wage rate at 85% of the state’s minimum wage, accounting to $13.90 per hour. Similarly, the tipped minimum wage for restaurant waitstaff stands at $6.35 and at $8.23 per hour for bartenders.
The overtime rate is calculated at 1.5 times of an employee’s standard hourly wage. This higher rate applies only when an employee’s actual working hours exceed 40 in a single workweek.
Minimum Wages in Connecticut Cities
The minimum wage in Connecticut stands at $15.69 for non-tipped workers. Similarly, for tipped employees, the minimum wage rate stands at $6.38 per hour for waitstaff and $8.23 per hour for bartenders. Here is a table summarizing the minimum wage rates for the top 30 cities of Connecticut:
| City | Tipped Minimum Wage (Waitstaff) | Tipped Minimum Wage (Bartenders) | Non-Tipped Minimum Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgeport | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| New Haven | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Stamford | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Hartford | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Waterbury | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Norwalk | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Danbury | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| New Britain | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| West Hartford | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Greenwich | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Fairfield | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Hamden | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Meriden | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Bristol | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Manchester | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| West Haven | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Milford | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Stratford | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| East Hartford | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Middletown | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Wallingford | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Enfield | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Shelton | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Torrington | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Naugatuck | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| New London | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Glastonbury | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Norwich | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Westport | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
| Newington | $6.38 | $8.23 | $16.35 |
Threshold For Employees Exempt
Exempt and non-exempt are two key employee classifications that determine how workers are paid and what rights they have under labor laws.
- Exempt employees are typically salaried workers who earn a guaranteed minimum amount each week regardless of hours worked.
- Non-exempt employees must be paid at least minimum wage for all hours worked and receive overtime pay (time-and-a-half) for any hours over 40 in a workweek.
On July 1, 2024, the threshold for exempt employees was set at least $844 per week, which adds up to $43,888 per year. From January 1, 2025, it will go up again to $1,128 per week ($58,656 per year).
However, a Texas court ruling in November 15,2024, blocked this order, reinstating the previous salary threshold at $684 per week ($35,568 annually) in 2025.
Overtime Rules in Connecticut
Workers get 1.5 times their regular pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a week and only the actual worked hours count toward overtime.
There is no automatic overtime pay for daily hours over 8, weekend work, or holiday work unless agreed in the employment contract.
Exemptions from overtime pay in Connecticut:
- Farm workers
- Executives, administrators, professionals
- Car salespeople
- Certain truck drivers and helpers
- Outside sales representatives
Historical Data of Connecticut Minimum Wages
Back in the 1930s, Connecticut had a special board make recommendations, which the labor commissioner would review after public discussions. This system lasted until 1951, when the state legislature started setting the minimum wage directly through laws.
Meanwhile, in 1938, after Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act, Connecticut took advantage of this option in ensuring workers earn more than the national minimum.
Connecticut has maintained its state minimum wage rates consistently higher than the federal minimum since FLSA’s implementation.
Here is a table summarizing the minimum wage rates applicable across Connecticut from 1968 to 2023:
| Time Period | Year | Minimum Wage (in $) |
|---|---|---|
| 1968 to 1981 | 1968* | 1.40 |
| 1970* | 1.60 | |
| 1972 | 1.85 | |
| 1976* | 2.21 & 2.31 | |
| 1979 | 2.91 | |
| 1980 | 3.12 | |
| 1981 | 3.37 | |
| 1988 to 1998 | 1988 | 3.75 |
| 1991 | 4.25 | |
| 1992 | 4.27 | |
| 1994 | 4.27 | |
| 1996 | 4.27 | |
| 1997 | 4.77 | |
| 1998 | 5.18 | |
| 2000 to 2006 | 2000 | 6.15 |
| 2001 | 6.40 | |
| 2002 | 6.70 | |
| 2003 | 6.90 | |
| 2004 | 7.10 | |
| 2005 | 7.10 | |
| 2006 | 7.40 | |
| 2007 to 2013 | 2007 | 7.65 |
| 2008 | 7.65 | |
| 2009 | 8.00 | |
| 2010 | 8.25 | |
| 2011 | 8.25 | |
| 2012 | 8.25 | |
| 2013 | 8.25 | |
| 2014 to 2019 | 2014 | 8.70 |
| 2015 | 9.15 | |
| 2016 | 9.60 | |
| 2017 | 10.10 | |
| 2018 | 10.10 | |
| 2019 | 11.00 | |
| 2020 to 2023 | 2020 | 12.00 |
| 2021 | 13.00 | |
| 2022 | 14.00 | |
| 2023 | 15.00 |
* – Under the FLSA, the two rates shown in 1968, 1970, and 1976 reflect the former multiple-track minimum wage system in effect from 1961 to 1978.
Source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/history
Exemptions in Minimum Wages of Connecticut
The general rule of exemption from minimum wages in Connecticut is that salaried employees must earn at least 2x minimum wage (based on 40-hour week).
Tipped workers (hotel/restaurant) can be paid as low as $6.38/hour if tips make up the difference. However, all minors, learners, and apprentices must receive full minimum wage.
Apart from these other exemptions include:
- Employees with primary duty as management, or regularly directs 2+ employees.
- Administrative employees with office/non-manual work related to business operations where independent judgment/discretion is required.
- Professional employees (except lawyers, doctors, teachers) who require advanced knowledge in specialized fields and their work must be intellectual/creative.
