Rightwork OG Image
Back to Labor Laws Directory

Mississippi Labor Laws 2025

Mississippi labor law primarily follows federal standards with minimal state-specific employment requirements. The state does not have its own minimum wage law, does not require meal breaks, and has constitutional Right to Work protections.

Note: Mississippi follows the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour and relies on federal FLSA for most labor law requirements. The state has minimal additional labor law requirements beyond federal standards.

Minimum Wage

Mississippi does not have a state minimum wage law and follows federal minimum wage requirements.

Key Requirements

  • No state minimum wage - federal minimum wage applies: $7.25 per hour
  • Tipped employees: $2.13/hour cash wage (with tip credit to reach $7.25)
  • All employers covered by FLSA must pay federal minimum wage
  • Some exemptions for certain agricultural workers
  • Most Mississippi employers are covered by federal FLSA

Additional Resources

Overtime

Mississippi follows federal overtime requirements under the FLSA with no additional state requirements.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • No daily overtime requirement (calculated weekly)
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • No state-specific overtime laws
  • Workweek is seven consecutive 24-hour periods

Additional Resources

Meal and Rest Breaks

Mississippi does not require employers to provide meal or rest breaks for employees of any age.

Key Requirements

  • No state law requiring meal breaks
  • No state law requiring rest breaks
  • No meal break requirement even for minors (unlike most states)
  • If breaks are voluntarily provided, federal rules apply
  • Short breaks (5-20 minutes) must be paid if provided
  • Nursing mothers have right to express milk (federal requirement)

Additional Resources

Payment of Wages

Mississippi has minimal state requirements for wage payment.

Key Requirements

  • No state law requiring specific pay frequency
  • Employers typically follow federal guidelines and industry standards
  • No specific state requirements for final wage payment timing
  • Wage claims handled through federal channels or civil court
  • Federal recordkeeping requirements apply (FLSA)

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Mississippi relies primarily on federal child labor laws.

Key Requirements

  • Federal child labor laws apply (FLSA)
  • 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
  • Minimal state-specific child labor requirements

Additional Resources

Right to Work

Mississippi is a "Right to Work" state with constitutional protection.

Key Requirements

  • Employees cannot be required to join a union as a condition of employment
  • Employers cannot require union dues or fees as a condition of employment
  • Protected by Mississippi Constitution Article 7, Section 198-A
  • Does not prohibit unions or collective bargaining
  • Constitutional protection makes it difficult to overturn

Additional Resources

Mississippi Constitutional Right to Work

Mississippi has strong Right to Work protections in its state constitution:

  • Protected by Mississippi Constitution Article 7, Section 198-A
  • Workers cannot be compelled to join a union or pay union dues
  • Constitutional protection makes it more difficult to overturn than statutory law

Federal Laws Apply

Since Mississippi has minimal state-specific labor laws, employers must focus on federal compliance:

FLSA

Fair Labor Standards Act governs minimum wage, overtime, recordkeeping, and youth employment.

FMLA

Family and Medical Leave Act provides job-protected leave for eligible employees.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations.

Title VII

Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Employment-At-Will State

Mississippi is an employment-at-will state:

  • Employers can terminate employees for any lawful reason or no reason at all
  • Employees can quit at any time for any reason
  • Federal anti-discrimination laws still apply
  • Terminations cannot violate public policy or contractual agreements

Limited State Wage and Hour Division

Mississippi does not have a state wage and hour division:

Wage disputes and labor law violations are typically handled through the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division or through civil court proceedings. Employees should contact the federal DOL for wage and hour complaints.

Ensure Federal Labor Compliance

Even in states with minimal additional requirements, Rightwork ensures your schedules comply with all federal labor laws including FLSA overtime, minimum wage, and child labor restrictions.

Learn More About Rightwork