Minimum Wage Preemption: Fort Worth vs Keller
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Fort Worth, TX and Keller, TX?
Fort Worth and Keller have similar restriction levels.
Fort Worth, TX
Tarrant County
Texas Labor Code Chapter 62 reserves minimum-wage authority to the state and ties Texas to the federal $7.25 floor. Fort Worth cannot enact a higher city minimum, so federal Fair Labor Standards Act rules govern private employers operating in the city.
View full Fort Worth rules →Keller, TX
Tarrant County
Texas Labor Code Section 62.0515 expressly preempts municipal and county minimum wage ordinances. The state minimum wage equals the federal floor of $7.25 per hour, and political subdivisions cannot require private employers to pay more, except for their own contracts.
View full Keller rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Fort Worth | Keller |
|---|---|---|
| Texas statute | Texas Labor Code Ch. 62 | - |
| Preemption section | Sec. 62.0515 | - |
| Standard rate | $7.25 federal floor | - |
| Tipped cash wage | $2.13 plus tips | - |
| Fort Worth city authority | Preempted for private employers | - |
| Statute | - | Labor Code 62.0515 |
| State Minimum | - | $7.25/hour |
| City Employees Exception | - | Permitted |
| Reinforced By | - | HB 2127 |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Fort Worth FAQ
Can Fort Worth set its own minimum wage above $7.25?
No. Texas Labor Code Section 62.0515 preempts any city or county ordinance that raises the wage above the state floor. Only the Texas Legislature can change the rate.
Does Fort Worth pay its own employees more than $7.25?
Yes. Fort Worth City Council policy sets a higher internal living wage for direct city employees and many contractors, but this binds only the city, not private employers operating in Fort Worth.
Keller FAQ
Can Austin or Houston set a $15 minimum wage?
Not for private employers. Cities can set higher wages for their own city employees and contractors but cannot mandate it for private businesses operating within city limits.
Does Texas have its own minimum wage above federal?
No. Texas Labor Code 62.051 ties the state minimum wage to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act rate, currently $7.25 per hour, with no automatic state increases.
Can cities require living wage for contractors?
Yes for direct city contracts and city employees, but not for private employers generally. Some cities use procurement preferences to encourage higher wages.
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