Arkansas Employment Law — full calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Arkansas's minimum wage in 2026?

  Arkansas's minimum wage is $11.00 per hour as of 2026, significantly above the $7.25 federal FLSA floor. The Arkansas Minimum Wage Act applies to employers with 4 or more employees. Tipped employees receive a base wage of $2.63 per hour, with the employer required to cover any gap between tips earned and the $11.00 minimum.

• When must an Arkansas employer issue a final paycheck?

  Arkansas requires employers to pay all wages owed by the employee's next regular payday following termination — whether by firing, layoff, or voluntary quit. If the employer fails to pay within 7 days after that regular payday, Arkansas law requires the employer to pay double the unpaid wages as a penalty. The federal FLSA sets no specific final-paycheck deadline, making this an Arkansas-specific protection.

• What is the double-wage penalty under Arkansas final paycheck law?

  If an Arkansas employer does not pay a terminated employee's final wages within 7 days after the next regular payday, the employer must pay double the amount of wages owed. For example, if $3,000 in wages is outstanding, the penalty brings the total liability to $6,000. This penalty applies to all separations regardless of whether the employee quit or was terminated.

• Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Arkansas?

  Yes, under Ark. Code § 4-75-101, non-compete agreements are enforceable in Arkansas when the employer has a protectable business interest (trade secrets, customer lists, confidential information) and the restriction is limited in time and scope. A post-termination restriction of 2 years is presumptively reasonable under the statute. However, as of March 2025, non-compete agreements restricting licensed physicians from practicing within their scope of practice are void and unenforceable under Senate Bill 139.

• Does Arkansas require employers to provide meal or rest breaks?

  No. Arkansas follows the federal FLSA standard: neither state nor federal law requires employers to provide meal or rest periods for adult employees. If an employer voluntarily offers short rest breaks (typically 20 minutes or less), those must be counted as compensated work time. Bona fide meal periods of 30 or more minutes where the employee is fully relieved of duty need not be paid.

• Does Arkansas have a mandatory sick leave law?

  No. Arkansas does not have a state-mandated paid or unpaid sick leave law as of 2026. Employees may be protected by the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying medical and family reasons — but this is a federal program, not an Arkansas-specific requirement.

• Does Arkansas require daily overtime like California?

  No. Arkansas follows the federal FLSA overtime standard: overtime is required at 1.5 times the regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Arkansas does not impose daily overtime (e.g., over 8 hours in a day) or double-time requirements. The state and federal overtime thresholds are the same for most employees.

• What is the tipped minimum wage in Arkansas?

  Tipped employees in Arkansas must receive a base cash wage of $2.63 per hour as of 2026. Employers may take a tip credit up to $8.37 per hour, but are responsible for ensuring that tips combined with the base wage meet or exceed the $11.00 state minimum wage. If tips fall short in any given workweek, the employer must pay the difference.

• How do I file a wage claim in Arkansas?

  Employees can file a wage claim with the Arkansas Department of Labor and Licensing, Labor Standards Division, by calling (501) 682-4599 or visiting labor.arkansas.gov. There is no fee to file an administrative wage claim. Employees may also pursue a private civil lawsuit to recover unpaid wages plus the double-wage penalty for final paycheck violations.