US Department of Labor recovers more than $259M in back wages for workers in 2025

News Release

US Department of Labor recovers more than $259M in back wages for workers in 2025

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division today announced it has recovered more than $259 million in back wages for nearly 177,000 employeesnationwide - an average of $1,465 per worker - in fiscal year 2025, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening the American workforce.

"Under the leadership of President Trump and Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, the Department is enforcing the laws fully and fairly to promote equal competition for all job creators while protecting the rights and earnings of American workers," said Wage and Hour Division Administrator Andrew Rogers.

In addition to recovering more back wages than in any year since 2019, the division also enhanced its compliance assistance efforts by providing new guidance and tools aimed at helping employers stay informed of their obligations. The agency created an improved compliance assistance hub, updated compliance videoson the Fair Labor Standards Act, and created a YouTube serieson the Family and Medical Leave Act. The division also relaunched its opinion letterprogram and the Payroll Audit Independent Determinationprogram, which offers employers an opportunity to self-report and resolve potential minimum wage and overtime violations under the FLSA, as well as certain potential violations under the FMLA.

Workers and employers can call the Wage and Hour Division with questions and requests for compliance assistance at its toll-free helpline, 866-4US-WAGE (487-9243). Employers are encouraged to use the agency's industry-specific compliance assistance toolkitsto learn about their responsibilities under the laws enforced by the division.

Learn more about the Wage and Hour Division, including a search toolthat workers can use if they think they may be owed back wages collected by the division. Download the agency's free timesheet app for iOS and Android devices to track hours and pay.