Arlington, TX Employment Preemption: Minimum Wage Preemption (2026)
Key Facts
- Minimum wage
- $7.25 per hour
- Tipped wage
- $2.13 per hour
- Preempted by
- Texas Labor Code 62.0515
- Last federal raise
- July 2009
Summary
Arlington cannot set a local minimum wage. Texas Labor Code Section 62.0515 preempts cities from raising wages above the state floor, which mirrors the federal $7.25 per hour established by the Fair Labor Standards Act.
Sec. 62.0515. APPLICATION OF MINIMUM WAGE TO CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES; CERTAIN AGREEMENTS WITH GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES. (a) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the minimum wage provided by this chapter supersedes a wage established in an ordinance, order, or charter provision governing wages in private employment, other than wages under a public contract. (b) This section does not apply to any state or federal job training or workforce development program. (c) This section does not apply to a minimum wage established by a governmental entity that applies to a contract or agreement, including a non-annexation agreement, entered into by a governmental entity and a private entity...
Full Breakdown
Texas Labor Code Section 62.0515 expressly preempts municipalities and counties from adopting a minimum wage higher than the state's, and Texas Labor Code Section 62.051 sets the state floor at the federal rate of $7.25 per hour. As a result, Arlington workers are subject to the federal FLSA minimum, with no city-level supplement. Tipped workers can be paid $2.13 per hour if tips bring total compensation to $7.25. Arlington has not attempted to raise the floor; any attempt would be void under Texas law.
Violations & Fines
Wage-and-hour violations are enforced federally by the U.S. Department of Labor and at the state level. Workers paid below $7.25 may file FLSA claims for back wages, liquidated damages, and attorney fees. The city has no enforcement role.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Arlington raise the minimum wage?
Are city contractors covered by a higher wage?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Arlington
Texas rules heatmap·Compare Arlington to another location·View the Texas employment preemption overview
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Minimum Wage Preemption in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Tarrant County handle minimum wage preemption.