Murfreesboro Minimum Wage & Tipped Rules
Murfreesboro, Tennessee employers and workers should know that there is no local municipal minimum-wage ordinance currently in the Murfreesboro municipal code; wage and tipped-employee standards that apply in the city are set by state and federal law. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour and federal rules govern tip credits and the allowable cash wage for tipped employees; for Tennessee-specific wage-hour guidance see the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.[1][2]
Applicable law and phased increases
The City of Murfreesboro municipal code does not establish a phased local minimum-wage schedule or separate tipped-wage schedule; employers in Murfreesboro therefore follow the applicable Tennessee and federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rules for minimum wages and tipped employees. Where a local ordinance would exist it would appear in the city code; no such ordinance is published in the Murfreesboro municipal code as of the cited pages.[2]
Tipped employees and tip credits
Under federal FLSA guidance, employers may take a tip credit toward the federal minimum wage for employees who customarily and regularly receive more than $30 per month in tips; the direct cash wage may be as low as $2.13 per hour if the employer makes up the remainder so that the employee receives at least the federal minimum when tips are included. Employers remain responsible for ensuring employees receive the full minimum when tips and cash wage are combined and for recordkeeping and notice requirements.[1]
- The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour (federal standard).[1]
- The permitted cash wage for tipped employees can be $2.13 per hour under federal rules when tip credit is taken.[1]
- Employers must ensure total earnings (time wage plus tips) reach the required minimum for each pay period.
- Recordkeeping and employee notice requirements apply under federal law.
Penalties & Enforcement
Murfreesboro does not publish a local minimum-wage enforcement fine schedule in the municipal code pages cited; enforcement for minimum-wage and tipped-wage violations in Murfreesboro is handled through state and federal wage authorities. For federal enforcement, the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division administers FLSA claims and remedies; for state-level assistance contact the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development. If a municipal penalty schedule exists it is not specified on the cited municipal code page.[1][2]
- Monetary fines or back-pay remedies: not specified on the cited Murfreesboro municipal code page; federal/state remedies apply as described by the U.S. DOL and Tennessee Department of Labor.[1]
- Escalation: first, repeat, or willful violations are addressed through administrative enforcement and, where appropriate, litigation; specific escalation amounts are not specified on the cited municipal page.[1]
- Non-monetary sanctions: administrative orders to pay back wages, liquidated damages or court-ordered relief may be sought by enforcement agencies.
- Enforcers: U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division and Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development; complaints and investigations are handled by those agencies.[1]
- Appeals/review: agency decisions are subject to administrative review and judicial appeal under the applicable federal or state procedures; time limits for filing appeals depend on the enforcing agency and are provided by that agency's rules (see links below).
Applications & Forms
To request enforcement or file a wage complaint, workers may submit a complaint to the U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division or the Tennessee Department of Labor; the agencies publish online complaint forms and instructions on their official sites. No Murfreesboro-specific wage complaint form is published in the municipal code pages cited.[1][2]
Action steps for employers and workers
- Employers: review payroll, tip pooling and notice practices and update payroll to ensure the combined wage plus tips meets the minimum.
- Workers: document hours worked, wages paid and tips received; keep pay stubs and any tip records.
- If you believe you are underpaid, file a complaint with the U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division or with the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
FAQ
- Does Murfreesboro have its own minimum wage ordinance?
- No; the Murfreesboro municipal code pages cited do not publish a local minimum-wage ordinance and employers follow Tennessee and federal rules.[2]
- What is the federal tipped cash wage allowed?
- Under federal rules the direct cash wage can be $2.13 per hour when a tip credit is properly applied and the employee's tips bring total pay to at least the federal minimum wage.[1]
- How do I file a wage complaint from Murfreesboro?
- File with the U.S. DOL Wage and Hour Division or the Tennessee Department of Labor using their online complaint forms and guidance pages.[1][2]
How-To
- Collect pay records: gather pay stubs, time sheets, tip records and any written notices about pay.
- Check applicable rate: confirm the federal minimum ($7.25) and whether a tip credit was applied correctly.[1]
- Submit complaint: use the online complaint form on the U.S. DOL or Tennessee Department of Labor site and follow the agency instructions for documentation and next steps.[1][2]
Key Takeaways
- Murfreesboro has no published local minimum-wage ordinance on the cited municipal code pages; state and federal law apply.
- Tipped employees may be paid a lower cash wage under federal tip-credit rules but employers must ensure total wages meet the minimum.
Help and Support / Resources
- City of Murfreesboro official site
- Murfreesboro municipal code (Municode)
- Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development