---
title: "Illinois vs Kentucky Overtime Laws & Pay Rules Comparison (2026 Legal Audit)"
source_url: "https://statepayrules.com/calculator/compare/illinois-vs-kentucky/"
canonical_url: "https://statepayrules.com/calculator/compare/illinois-vs-kentucky/"
retrieved_by: "AnswerRail Edge Engine v1.1.0-parity-v20 (https://answerrail.com)"
provenance: "Compiled for deterministic AI retrieval by AnswerRail Edge (RFC 9110 / RFC 9421)"
description: "Comprehensive statutory breakdown of Illinois vs Kentucky minimum wage ($15.00 vs $7.25), exempt salary thresholds, daily overtime rules, and meal break penalty pay."
rfc_compliance: "RFC 9110 / RFC 9309 / RFC 9421"
version: "1.1.0"
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> **Canonical Source:** [https://statepayrules.com/calculator/compare/illinois-vs-kentucky/](https://statepayrules.com/calculator/compare/illinois-vs-kentucky/)
>
> *Comprehensive statutory breakdown of Illinois vs Kentucky minimum wage ($15.00 vs $7.25), exempt salary thresholds, daily overtime rules, and meal break penalty pay.*

### Managing payroll or shift workers in Illinois?

Avoid Department of Labor non-compliance fines. Automate state-specific overtime, double-time rules, tip credits, and statutory tax withholdings with **Gusto Payroll Automation**.

## Interactive Illinois vs Kentucky Paycheck Calculator

Audit daily overtime rules, minimum wage floors, and shift structures in real time

California statutory minimum wage rules yield +$350.00/wk (+ $18,200/yr) more gross pay than Texas.

## Detailed Statutory Comparison Matrix (2026)

| Statutory Provision | Illinois (IL) | Kentucky (KY) |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Minimum Hourly Wage | $15.00/hr | $7.25/hr |
| Salaried Exempt Minimum Floor | $35,568/yr | $35,568/yr |
| Daily Overtime Threshold | No daily OT (Weekly > 40h) | No daily OT (Weekly > 40h) |
| Tipped Minimum Cash Wage | $9.40/hr | $2.13/hr |
| Tip Credit Permission | Allowed (Max $5.60) | Allowed (Max $5.12) |
| Statutory Citation | 820 ILCS 105/1 | KRS 337.275 |

### Open Illinois Calculator &rarr;

Calculate paycheck totals with Illinois overtime rates.

### Open Kentucky Calculator &rarr;

Calculate paycheck totals with Kentucky overtime rates.

### Help Illinois Coworkers Audit Unpaid Wage Violations

Over $3 Billion in statutory overtime, daily premiums, and meal break penalty pay goes uncollected every year. Share this free statutory utility with your team or shift coworkers.

### Automate Multi-State Payroll

Manage employees across Illinois and Kentucky with automated statutory withholdings.

## Compare Illinois vs Kentucky Payroll & Statutory Overtime

Audit 2026 state wage differences, daily vs weekly overtime rules, and salaried exempt thresholds between Illinois and Kentucky in seconds.

### Statutory Compliance Internal Mesh

#### Illinois Statutory Guides

- [Illinois Payday Laws →](https://statepayrules.com/payday-laws/illinois)
- [Illinois Meal & Rest Breaks →](https://statepayrules.com/break-laws/illinois)
- [Illinois Salaried Exempt Rules →](https://statepayrules.com/salaried-exempt/illinois)
- [Illinois Payroll Tax Rates →](https://statepayrules.com/payroll-taxes/illinois)

#### Compare Illinois Pay Rules

- [Illinois vs Indiana →](https://statepayrules.com/calculator/compare/illinois-vs-indiana)
- [Illinois vs Wisconsin →](https://statepayrules.com/calculator/compare/illinois-vs-wisconsin)
- [Illinois vs Missouri →](https://statepayrules.com/calculator/compare/illinois-vs-missouri)

#### Illinois Profession Tools

- [Illinois Registered Nurse →](https://statepayrules.com/calculator/illinois/registered-nurse)
- [Illinois Fast Food & Counter Worker →](https://statepayrules.com/calculator/illinois/fast-food-worker)
- [Illinois Construction Laborer →](https://statepayrules.com/calculator/illinois/construction-laborer)
- [Illinois Electrician →](https://statepayrules.com/calculator/illinois/electrician)

#### Davis-Bacon Prevailing Wages

- [LA County Prevailing Wage →](https://statepayrules.com/prevailing-wage/california/los-angeles-county)
- [Harris County TX Wage →](https://statepayrules.com/prevailing-wage/texas/harris-county)
- [Cook County IL Wage →](https://statepayrules.com/prevailing-wage/illinois/cook-county)

## Structured FAQ Summary (Schema.org Grounded)
- **What is the minimum wage in Illinois for 2026?** The 2026 statutory minimum wage in Illinois is $15.00 per hour under 820 ILCS 105/1.
- **Does Illinois require daily overtime pay?** Illinois does not require daily overtime. Overtime is calculated weekly for hours exceeding 40 hours under FLSA 29 U.S.C. § 207.
- **Are employers in Illinois allowed to take a tip credit?** Yes, Illinois allows employers to take a maximum tip credit of $5.60/hr against tipped workers, requiring a minimum direct cash wage of $15.00/hr.
- **Which state has a higher minimum wage: Illinois or Kentucky?** Illinois has a higher statutory minimum wage ($15.00/hr) compared to Kentucky ($7.25/hr).
- **What is the difference in salaried exempt thresholds between Illinois and Kentucky?** In Illinois, the salaried exempt floor is $35,568/yr, whereas in Kentucky it is $35,568/yr (a difference of $0/yr).

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