Training wage
The federal training wage under FLSA section 6(g) is the same as the youth wage: $4.25 per hour for workers under 20 during their first 90 consecutive calendar days. There is no separate adult training-wage carve-out at the federal level. States that go further set their own rate and duration cap.[DOL FS-32][DOL WHD]
State training-wage rules
- Delaware: $13.75 per hour for workers 18 and older for the first 90 consecutive calendar days. Becomes the full $15.00 thereafter.
- Utah: $4.25 minor rate for workers under 18 for the first 90 days. Full $7.25 thereafter.
- Idaho: $4.25 training wage for workers under 20 for the first 90 days, mirroring the FLSA section 6(g) youth rate.
- Iowa: Initial-employment wage of $6.35 for the first 90 calendar days under Iowa Code 91D.1.
- Wisconsin: Opportunity wage of $5.90 for the first 90 days for workers under 20.
When the training wage does not apply
The training/youth wage may not be used to displace existing workers. Cutting hours, wages, or benefits of regular employees to hire workers at the sub-minimum rate is a violation of FLSA section 6(g)(4). Apprenticeship programs registered under the National Apprenticeship Act sit outside this framework and follow their own pay schedule.