Missouri Employment Law — full calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Missouri's overtime rules compared to federal law?

  Missouri follows the federal FLSA standard exactly: overtime is owed at 1.5× the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Missouri does not impose a daily overtime threshold. Employees cannot waive their right to overtime pay under either state or federal law.

• When must a Missouri employer issue a final paycheck after firing someone?

  Immediately — on the day of discharge (RSMo 290.110). If not paid that day, the employee should send a written request via certified mail. The employer then has 7 days to comply. If still unpaid, penalty wages continue accruing at the employee's regular rate for up to 60 days.

• Is there a penalty for late final paychecks in Missouri?

  Yes. Under RSMo 290.110, if a discharged employee is not paid and submits a certified-mail wage request, penalty wages accrue at the employee's regular rate — up to a maximum of 60 days — until full payment is made. There is no fixed dollar fine; the penalty grows with each day unpaid.

• Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Missouri?

  Yes, Missouri enforces non-compete agreements that are reasonable in scope. Under RSMo 431.202, a post-employment covenant lasting no more than 1 year that protects confidential information or customer relationships is presumptively reasonable. Courts may blue-pencil (narrow) overbroad agreements under RSMo 431.204 rather than voiding them entirely.

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

  No. Missouri law does not require employers to provide any meal or rest breaks to adult employees. A narrow exception applies to workers under age 16 in the entertainment industry, who must receive a meal break after 5.5 hours and a 15-minute paid rest after every 2 hours of work.

• Does Missouri have a state sick leave law?

  No. Missouri has no state-mandated paid sick leave law as of 2026. Whether employees receive paid sick leave is left to employer policy or the terms of an employment contract. Federal FMLA provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for qualifying health conditions at covered employers.

• What is Missouri's minimum wage in 2026?

  $15.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2026 — more than double the $7.25 federal floor. Tipped employees must receive at least $7.50/hr in direct cash wages from their employer, with tips bringing total compensation to $15.00/hr or the employer makes up the difference.

• How does Missouri's tipped minimum wage work?

  Missouri requires employers to pay tipped employees at least 50% of the minimum wage in direct cash — $7.50/hr in 2026. Tips received must bring total hourly pay to the $15.00 minimum. If tips fall short, the employer must cover the gap. This is far more protective than the federal $2.13/hr tipped minimum.

• Where can I file a wage complaint in Missouri?

  Contact the Missouri Division of Labor Standards at labor.mo.gov or file a private civil action in Missouri small claims court (under $5,000) or circuit court (amounts above $5,000). You can also contact the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division for federal FLSA violations.

• What Missouri statute covers final paycheck rules?

  RSMo 290.110 ("Payment due discharged employee — exceptions — penalty for delay") governs final paycheck timing and penalties for discharged employees. The general wage and hour rules are found in RSMo Chapter 290. The minimum wage is governed by the Missouri Minimum Wage Law (RSMo 290.502–290.530).