Tennessee minimum wage and worker rights

Tennessee at a glance

Tennessee is home to about 431,545 foreign-born residents (6.1% of the state’s 7,066,383 people) and 523,528 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (7.4%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in Tennessee regardless of immigration status unless noted.

Minimum wage in Tennessee (official DOL data)

Official source: Department of Labor — State Minimum Wage Laws

DOL updated: January 1, 2026 · Verified on: 2026-05-25

Tennessee has NO state minimum wage law. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour (unchanged since 2009). Applies to FLSA-covered employers when state wage is lower or non-existent.

Basic worker rights (regardless of immigration status)

Under federal law (FLSA) and Tennessee labor laws:

  • ✅ Minimum wage guaranteed
  • ✅ Overtime pay (1.5× over 40 hours/week)
  • ✅ Pay for all hours worked
  • ✅ Safe work environment (OSHA)
  • ✅ Protection against retaliation for reporting violations
  • ✅ Worker’s compensation access if injured at work (depends on state)

Important: These rights apply to ALL workers in the US, including undocumented persons. Immigration status does NOT remove these rights.

Professional licenses now require citizenship or “qualified alien” status (Public Chapter 955)

Tennessee Public Chapter 955 (House Bill 1709, signed May 7, 2026) changed who is eligible for professional and commercial licenses in Tennessee. It has been in effect since May 7, 2026, and applies to new applications AND renewals from that date onward.

  • The new rule: to be eligible for a license from dozens of Tennessee licensing authorities — health professions (Title 63: nursing, dental, therapists and more), educator licenses, insurance, banking and finance, alcoholic-beverage permits, and the trade boards under Title 62 — a person must be a US citizen or a “qualified alien” as defined in Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-58-102. That definition covers the federal categories in 8 U.S.C. § 1641(b) (lawful permanent residents, refugees, asylees, certain parolees and humanitarian entrants) plus persons eligible under 8 U.S.C. § 1621(a), which includes lawful nonimmigrants such as valid work-visa holders.
  • What was repealed: the prior Tennessee rule (former § 4-58-103(a)(2)) that accepted any federal work authorization verified through the SAVE program. A work permit (EAD) by itself no longer establishes eligibility — deferred action (DACA) is not among the listed categories.
  • Renewals count: the requirement applies when an existing license comes up for renewal, not only to first-time applicants.
  • Narrow exceptions: physicians who prove they have applied for a work-authorizing visa (new § 63-1-181(a)(2)), and alcoholic-beverage licenses/permits, which also accept a valid J-1 or F-1 student visa.
  • A separate automatic-revocation provision scheduled for July 1, 2026 did not take effect: the companion bill it depended on (HB 1711/SB 2108) died in committee.

Official text: Public Chapter 955 (PDF) · Bill history

For how Tennessee compares nationally, see our state-by-state map of professional and occupational licenses regardless of immigration status — Tennessee is one of the states that require citizenship or qualified-alien status.

If your status is not among the listed categories and you hold a Tennessee professional license that renews soon, consult a licensed immigration or licensing attorney before your renewal date. This is general information, not legal advice.

Where to report labor abuses in Tennessee

Department of Labor (DOL) — federal

  • Wage and Hour Division (WHD): dol.gov/agencies/whd
  • Phone: 1-866-487-9243 (interpreters in many languages)
  • Does NOT require immigration status verification
  • Can report anonymously

Tennessee Department of Labor

Search “Tennessee Department of Labor” or “Labor Commissioner”.

OSHA (occupational safety)

  • Federal OSHA: osha.gov/complaint
  • Report unsafe environments, unreported accidents, lack of protective equipment

Worker’s Compensation in Tennessee

If injured at work in Tennessee, you have worker’s compensation rights regardless of immigration status. Covers: medical expenses, lost wage pay, permanent disability (if applicable).

Important: Worker’s comp does NOT affect your immigration status. It’s illegal for employer to fire you for filing worker’s comp claim.

ITIN for work

If you earn income in Tennessee and need to file taxes but don’t have SSN, use ITIN.

Last verified: 2026-07-02.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.