Missouri Labor Laws

Missouri Labor Laws: Every Rule With Its 2026 Figure — Best Proven Guide (2026)

By Oleg Kachko · Updated October 8, 2026
✓ Verified October 2026

Missouri labor laws in one place: the minimum wage is $15.00, after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate, no Missouri law requires a meal break for adult workers; if an employer gives one of 30 minutes or more it…, no paid sick leave is required,

and the final paycheck is due on the day of the discharge (the statute covers a firing or a refusal to keep employing you, including a… if you are fired.

This guide gives the exact missouri labor laws rule with the date we verified it, the statute, and what to do next. Rules verified against the statute on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards or an attorney before you rely on it.

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Missouri Labor Laws at a Glance

Minimum wage $15.00
Overtime After 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate
Meal break No Missouri law requires a meal break for adult workers; if an employer gives one of 30 minutes or more it may be…
Paid sick leave No state mandate
Final paycheck if fired On the day of the discharge (the statute covers a firing or a refusal to keep employing you, including a layoff)
PTO paid out Only if the employer’s policy provides it
Non compete Enforceable if reasonable (common law)
Right to work No
At-will Yes

Missouri Labor Laws: Minimum Wage and Overtime

The minimum wage is $15.00. After 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate. No daily overtime in Missouri — only the weekly total counts. Retail or service businesses with under $500,000 in annual sales are exempt from the state law; seasonal amusement businesses pay overtime after 52 hours.

⚠ Missouri labor laws at a glance: minimum wage $15.00; overtime after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate; not a right-to-work state; at-will.

Missouri Labor Laws: Breaks and Lunch

No Missouri law requires a meal break for adult workers; if an employer gives one of 30 minutes or more it may be unpaid only if you are fully relieved of duty (federal FLSA rule). No Missouri law requires paid rest breaks; under the federal FLSA any short break of 5 to 20 minutes an employer does give must be paid.

Missouri Labor Laws at a Glance

Rules verified against the statute on 2026-10-08; confirm the current rule with Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards or an attorney before you rely on it. The statute row is where to check it yourself.

Minimum wage $15.00
Overtime After 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate
Meal break No Missouri law requires a meal break for adult workers; if an employer gives one of 30 minutes or more it may be…
Paid sick leave No state mandate
Final paycheck if fired On the day of the discharge (the statute covers a firing or a refusal to keep employing you, including a layoff)
PTO paid out Only if the employer’s policy provides it
Non compete Enforceable if reasonable (common law)
Right to work No
At-will Yes

Missouri Labor Laws: Hours Worked, 12-Hour Shifts and Days of Rest

Missouri law generally does not cap shift length or ban mandatory overtime for adult workers, so an employer may usually schedule 12-hour shifts. The state’s wage law (RSMo Chapter 290) controls how overtime is paid, not whether it can be required.

Missouri Labor Laws for 16 and 17 Year Olds

Missouri’s child labor law (RSMo Chapter 294) defines a “child” as someone under 16, so the state’s hour limits and work certificate rules generally do not apply to 16- and 17-year-olds. Federal rules still bar workers under 18 from jobs the U.S. Department of Labor lists as hazardous, so confirm any job limits with the Missouri Division of Labor Standards or dol.gov.

Missouri Labor Laws: Sick Leave and PTO

No Missouri law requires paid sick leave; the employer’s own policy or a union contract controls, and the federal FMLA gives up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave at employers of 50 or more. Missouri courts have held vacation pay is not ‘wages’ under 290.110; payout follows the employer’s policy.

Missouri Labor Laws: Final Paycheck

On the day of the discharge (the statute covers a firing or a refusal to keep employing you, including a layoff) if the employer ends the job; no state deadline — the next regular payday if you quit.

Penalty: if the wages are not paid within 7 days of a written request, they keep accruing at the same rate as a penalty from the day of discharge until paid, up to 60 days (290.110).

Missouri Labor Laws: Non Compete, Right to Work and At-Will

Missouri has no general non compete statute; the Missouri Supreme Court (Whelan Security v. Kennebrew, 2012) enforces non competes and customer or employee non solicits that are reasonable in time and area and protect trade secrets or customer contacts, and courts modify overbroad terms. A separate statute presumes an employee non solicit of one year or less reasonable when it protects confidential information, customer relationships or goodwill.

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No — Missouri is not a right-to-work state: a union contract with a union-security clause may require you to pay dues or an agency fee as a condition of employment (federal law already bars forcing you to formally join). Missouri is an at-will state: either side may end the job at any time for any lawful reason.

Missouri Labor Laws: Required Posters

Missouri employers generally must post the Missouri Minimum Wage Law (LS-52), Notice to Workers Concerning Unemployment Benefits (MODES-B-2), Workers’ Compensation Law (WC-106) and Discrimination in Employment (MCHR-9) notices. Covered employers must also post the domestic and sexual violence leave notice (LS-112), and employers with workers under 16 must post a list of those workers (LS-43). Federal posters are required as well.

Other Missouri Labor Laws to Know

Missouri’s service letter law (RSMo 290.140) lets a former employee send a written request asking the employer to describe the work they did, how long they worked there and the true reason they were let go or left. Most covered employers must answer in writing, and workers have a limited time to ask. Confirm eligibility and deadlines with the state agency.

Separately, Missouri’s domestic and sexual violence leave law (RSMo 285.625–285.640) gives unpaid, job-protected leave at covered employers.

Every rule on this page has its own guide — and the wage-claim agency enforces most of them for free.

Contact Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards

Missouri — the bottom line

  • Missouri labor laws start with the minimum wage ($15.00) and overtime after 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate.
  • Under missouri labor laws the final paycheck, breaks and sick leave each have a rule with a date — the links on this page go to each one.
  • Missouri labor laws are enforced mostly by a free wage claim; the attorney question arises only for wrongful termination and non competes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage under Missouri labor laws?

$15.00.

When is overtime owed under Missouri labor laws?

After 40 hours in a workweek at 1.5 times the regular rate. No daily overtime in Missouri — only the weekly total counts.

Are breaks required under Missouri labor laws?

No Missouri law requires a meal break for adult workers; if an employer gives one of 30 minutes or more it may be unpaid only if you are fully relieved of duty (federal FLSA rule).

Is paid sick leave required under Missouri labor laws?

No state mandate.

When is my final paycheck due under Missouri labor laws?

On the day of the discharge (the statute covers a firing or a refusal to keep employing you, including a layoff).

Official Missouri Sources & Resources

This missouri labor laws guide was last verified against official Missouri sources in October 2026. Rules change — confirm the current figure with the state agency or a licensed attorney.

More Missouri Workplace Rights Guides

Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. My Unemployment Rights is an independent educational resource, not a government agency and not a law firm. Final-paycheck deadlines, penalties and non compete rules change — every figure here carries the date we verified it. Confirm the current rule with your state labor department or a licensed attorney before you act.

Hurt at work before you lost the job? See whether workers comp or unemployment applies at Workers Comp Explained. Denied unemployment because you cannot work? Social Security disability may be the right program - start at Disability Claim Info. Lost income and worried about rent? Know your rights before an eviction notice arrives at Tenant Rights Info.