Houston minimum wage: How much will a worker earn in January 2026?

While many US jurisdictions are preparing to increase the minimum wage by 2026, In Texas there will be no changes. Subject to state law The federal base wage, which is set at $7.25 per hour. This affects the entire Lone Star State, incl Houstonthe most populous city.

In 2009, Texas has adopted a federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. In the same year, the state’s minimum wage law was created, which provides for some exceptions and Prohibits cities from establishing a salary higher than the federal salary. So for The majority of Houston workersAccording to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC), the amount It will remain unchanged by 2026.

Houston’s minimum wage law makes exceptions for tipped workers and othersFreebeck – Freebeck

however, Many employees earn higher incomes. This is because legislation It does not prevent them from negotiating collective increases.

At the same time, there is a special status for people who receive Tipping earnings. Your employer can count this income into your base salary. So, if these workers earn at least $5.12 per hour this way, you should only pay them $2.13.

In certain circumstances a The employer can Pay salary Less than the minimum. This applies to sick workers or clients of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). It also applies to other people depending on their age or productivity issues.

The majority of employees in Houston earn more than the federal amount of $7.25 per hourFreebeck – Freebeck

These are the most important points of the Texas minimum wage law:

According to the TWC, the basic exemption from the minimum wage law applies to anyone covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Moreover, other Specific exceptions include:

On the other hand, workers in the agricultural sector are subject to the amount determined by the Commissioner of Agriculture Collect or harvest plants and crops. Part rates are based on the average employee’s ability to perform their duties at a given time.

The average wage for Hispanic workers in Houston was $29.71 per hour in DecemberFreebeck – Freebeck

In December 2025, according to data collected by the platform ZipRecruiterhe The average salary for Hispanic workers in Houston is $29.71 per hourThis equates to approximately $61,787 per year. This number is slightly higher than the national average of $24 per hour worked.