Minnesota Employment Law — full calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Minnesota's overtime rules in 2026?

  Minnesota state law requires overtime (1.5× the regular rate) after 48 hours in a workweek. However, federal FLSA — which covers most private-sector employees — requires overtime after 40 hours. Whichever rule gives the employee more protection applies. Minnesota has no daily overtime requirement.

• When must a Minnesota employer pay a final paycheck after termination?

  If an employee is fired or laid off and makes a formal demand for wages, the employer must pay within 24 hours (MN Stat. §181.13). Without a demand, the deadline is 20 days after separation. Employees who quit are owed wages by the next regular payday falling at least 5 days after their last day, with an absolute cap of 20 days.

• Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Minnesota?

  No. Minnesota banned employment-based non-compete agreements effective January 1, 2024 (MN Stat. §181.988, enacted by 2023 Laws Ch. 53). The ban applies to all employees regardless of salary or role. Exceptions exist only for agreements made during the sale or dissolution of a business. NDAs and non-solicitation agreements remain enforceable.

• What meal and rest breaks does Minnesota law require?

  As of January 1, 2026, Minnesota requires a paid rest break of at least 15 minutes within every four consecutive hours worked, and an unpaid meal break of at least 30 minutes when a shift reaches 6 or more consecutive hours (MN Stat. §177.254). Employers who fail to provide required breaks owe the missed break time plus an equal amount as liquidated damages.

• What is Minnesota's Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) law?

  Minnesota's ESST law (effective January 1, 2024, MN Stat. §181.9446) requires most employers to provide 1 hour of paid sick and safe time for every 30 hours worked. Employees can accrue up to 48 hours per year and carry over a maximum balance of 80 hours. ESST can be used for personal or family illness, domestic abuse, and workplace closures.

• What is Minnesota's minimum wage in 2026?

  The statewide minimum wage is $11.41 per hour for all employers as of January 1, 2026 (adjusted for inflation). The 90-day training wage for workers under 20 is $9.31/hr. Minneapolis employers must pay at least $16.37/hr. St. Paul rates vary by employer size: large employers pay $16.37/hr; small employers pay $15.00/hr (until July 1, 2026); micro employers pay $13.25/hr (until July 1, 2026).

• Does Minnesota allow a tip credit against the minimum wage?

  No. Minnesota prohibits tip credits — tipped employees must receive the full applicable minimum wage (at least $11.41/hr statewide in 2026) in addition to any tips they earn. This is stricter than the federal FLSA, which allows a tip credit bringing the base wage to as low as $2.13/hr.

• How does Minnesota overtime differ from federal FLSA overtime?

  The key difference is the weekly threshold: FLSA requires overtime after 40 hours per week, while Minnesota state law uses a 48-hour threshold. For employees covered by FLSA (most workers), the 40-hour federal standard is more protective and therefore applies. The overtime rate is 1.5× in both cases; neither law requires daily overtime.

• Can a Minnesota employer require employees to sign a non-solicitation agreement?

  Yes. Minnesota's non-compete ban (MN Stat. §181.988) explicitly exempts non-solicitation agreements — clauses that restrict an employee from soliciting the employer's customers or fellow employees. These remain enforceable. Only agreements that restrict the employee from working for a competitor or in a competing capacity are banned.

• Where can Minnesota workers file a wage complaint?

  Workers can file a wage claim with the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (DLI) at dli.mn.gov or by calling 651-284-5075 (800-342-5354 toll-free). DLI enforces minimum wage, overtime, final paycheck, meal/rest break, and ESST violations at no cost to the employee. Private lawsuits are also available, typically with a two-year statute of limitations.