Back to Labor Laws Directory

Missouri Labor Laws 2025

Missouri has labor protections including a $13.75 minimum wage (increasing to $15.00 in 2026), a training wage for retail/service workers, and Right to Work protections enshrined in the state constitution.

Important: Missouri's minimum wage is $13.75/hour in 2025 and will increase to $15.00/hour on January 1, 2026. Requirements apply to employers with annual gross income of $500,000 or more.

Minimum Wage

Missouri has a state minimum wage that exceeds federal law and adjusts annually for inflation.

Key Requirements

  • State minimum wage: $13.75 per hour (as of January 1, 2025)
  • Scheduled increase to $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2026
  • Tipped employees: $6.88/hour minimum cash wage (50% of minimum wage)
  • Retail/service employees can be paid 85% of minimum wage in first 90 days
  • Applies to employers with annual gross income of $500,000 or more

Additional Resources

Overtime

Missouri 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 beyond federal requirements
  • Applies to employers with annual gross income of $500,000 or more

Additional Resources

Meal and Rest Breaks

Missouri does not require employers to provide meal or rest breaks for adult employees.

Key Requirements

  • No state law requiring meal breaks for adult employees
  • No state law requiring rest breaks for adult employees
  • No specific break requirements for minors
  • 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

Missouri has specific requirements for wage payment frequency and timing.

Key Requirements

  • Employees must be paid at least semi-monthly (twice per month)
  • Payment must be made on regular paydays designated by employer
  • Final wages: Must be paid by next regular payday
  • Certain wage deductions require written authorization
  • Direct deposit allowed with employee written authorization

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Missouri 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
  • Minors under 16 cannot work before 7am or after 7pm (9pm in summer)

Additional Resources

Right to Work

Missouri 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 Missouri Constitution Article I, Section 29
  • Does not prohibit unions or collective bargaining
  • Constitutional protection makes it difficult to overturn

Additional Resources

Annual Minimum Wage Adjustments

Missouri's minimum wage adjusts automatically each year:

  • 2024 rate: $12.30/hour
  • 2025 rate: $13.75/hour (current)
  • 2026 rate: $15.00/hour (effective January 1, 2026)
  • Tipped minimum wage remains at 50% of standard minimum wage

Training Wage Provisions

Missouri allows a reduced training wage for certain employees:

  • Rate: 85% of minimum wage
  • Eligibility: Retail or service industry employees
  • Duration: First 90 days of employment
  • After 90 days, must be paid full minimum wage

Missouri Constitutional Right to Work

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

  • Protected by Missouri Constitution Article I, Section 29
  • Workers cannot be compelled to join a union or pay union dues
  • Constitutional protection makes it more difficult to overturn than statutory law

Employer Coverage Threshold

Missouri's wage laws apply based on annual gross income:

The state minimum wage and overtime requirements apply to employers with annual gross income of $500,000 or more.

Smaller employers may be subject to federal FLSA requirements if engaged in interstate commerce. Most employers should comply with whichever standard (federal or state) provides greater protection to employees.

Navigate Missouri's Wage Requirements

Rightwork automatically applies annual minimum wage adjustments, manages training wage provisions, and ensures compliance with Missouri's labor laws.

Learn More About Rightwork