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Minnesota Labor Laws 2025

Minnesota has comprehensive labor protections including a unified minimum wage of $11.13/hour for all employers (effective January 1, 2025), earned sick and safe time for all employees, mandatory rest breaks, and higher local minimum wages in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Important: Minnesota's statewide minimum wage is $11.13/hour for all employers (effective January 1, 2025) and will increase to $11.41/hour on January 1, 2026. Minneapolis and St. Paul have higher local minimum wages up to $15.57/hour.

Minimum Wage

Minnesota has a unified state minimum wage that applies to all employers and adjusts annually.

Key Requirements

  • State minimum wage: $11.13/hour (effective January 1, 2025)
  • Future rate: $11.41/hour (effective January 1, 2026)
  • Applies to all employers regardless of size
  • Adjusted annually based on inflation rate
  • Minneapolis: $15.57/hour for large employers (100+), $14.50 for small (2024)
  • St. Paul: $15.57/hour for macro employers (10,001+), tiered rates for smaller (2024)

Additional Resources

Overtime

Minnesota follows federal overtime requirements with some state-specific provisions.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 48 in a workweek
  • Federal FLSA requires overtime after 40 hours - whichever is more protective applies
  • Most employers follow federal 40-hour threshold
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • No daily overtime requirement

Additional Resources

Rest and Meal Breaks

Minnesota requires rest breaks for sufficient time to use restroom facilities.

Key Requirements

  • Rest breaks: Sufficient time to use restroom every 4 hours
  • Meal breaks: Reasonable time for meals (typically 30 minutes unpaid)
  • No specific duration mandated by law for meal breaks
  • Employees must be completely relieved of duties during unpaid meal breaks
  • Short rest breaks must be paid if provided

Additional Resources

Earned Sick and Safe Time

Minnesota requires earned sick and safe time for employees.

Key Requirements

  • Accrual: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked
  • Maximum accrual: 48 hours per year
  • Maximum use: Employers may cap at 48 hours per year
  • Can be used for illness, preventive care, or safe time (domestic abuse, sexual assault)
  • Applies to all employers regardless of size

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

Minnesota has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Employees must be paid at least once every 31 days
  • Payment must be made on regular paydays designated by employer
  • Final wages: Must be paid within 24 hours of employee demand if discharged
  • If employee quits: Must be paid by next regular payday (20 days or less)
  • Direct deposit allowed with employee written authorization

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Minnesota has comprehensive restrictions on youth employment.

Key Requirements

  • Work permits required for minors under 16
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 3 hours per school day, 18 hours per week during school
  • Ages 14-15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school not in session
  • Ages 16-17: No hour restrictions but hazardous occupation restrictions apply
  • Special rules for minors working in entertainment industry

Additional Resources

Minimum Wage by Location

Minnesota has a unified statewide minimum wage with higher rates in certain cities:

Statewide (All Employers)

$11.13/hour

Effective January 1, 2025

Increases to $11.41/hour on January 1, 2026

Minneapolis - Large (100+)

$15.57/hour

2024 rate, adjusted annually

Minneapolis - Small (under 100)

$14.50/hour

2024 rate, adjusted annually

St. Paul - Macro (10,001+)

$15.57/hour

Tiered rates for smaller employers

Earned Sick and Safe Time

Minnesota's sick leave law includes "safe time" provisions:

Can Be Used For:

  • Employee's or family member's illness or injury
  • Preventive medical care
  • Safe time due to domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking
  • Closure of workplace due to weather or public emergency

Fast Final Wage Payment

Minnesota requires quick payment of final wages:

Employee Discharged

Must be paid within 24 hours of employee demanding payment

Employee Quits

Must be paid by next regular payday (within 20 days)

Understanding the 2025 Changes

As of January 1, 2025, Minnesota simplified its minimum wage structure:

The state no longer uses different minimum wage rates based on employer revenue. All employers must pay at least $11.13/hour statewide, with automatic annual increases tied to inflation. Local ordinances in Minneapolis and St. Paul may require higher rates.

Employers must pay the highest applicable minimum wage (federal, state, or local).

Stay Compliant with Minnesota Labor Laws

Rightwork automatically applies the correct minimum wage based on location, tracks earned sick and safe time accruals, and ensures compliance with Minnesota's labor laws.

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