The minimum wage in Kentucky is $7.25 per hour as of September 2022. This is the same as the current federal minimum wage rate. The minimum wage applies to most employees in Kentucky, with limited exceptions including tipped employees, some student workers, and other exempt occupations. It is important to note that some cities and towns in Kentucky may have their own minimum wage laws, such as the cities of Lexington and Louisville, which have established a higher minimum wage of $8.20. However, the Kentucky State Supreme Court struck down these raises in 2016 and returned the minimum wage to the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour, ruling that Kentucky cities do not have the authority to raise the minimum wage.