Missouri FLSA Laws

Ensure Compliance with Missouri-Specific FLSA Auditing

Federal FLSA: $7.25/hour.
Missouri Law: $13.75/hour (non-tipped) as of January 1, 2025, for private employers with annual gross income ≥$500,000, per Proposition A (approved November 5, 2024; Missouri Revised Statutes, § 290.502). Tipped employees: $6.875/hour, with no tip credit cap—employers must ensure tips plus wage reach $13.75/hour. Businesses with <$500,000 gross income are exempt from state minimum, defaulting to $7.25/hour. No local increases allowed under state preemption.
What You Need to Know: Higher state rate applies where mandated. Violations can lead to back wages, double damages, and fines up to $1,000 per offense.

Federal FLSA: 1.5x regular rate for hours over 40/week.
Missouri Specifics: Matches federal 40-hour rule (Missouri Revised Statutes, § 290.505). Overtime calculated at 1.5x regular rate (e.g., $20.63/hour for $13.75/hour workers). Seasonal amusement/recreation employees exempt unless working >52 hours/week. Exemptions align with FLSA: executive, administrative, professional employees earning ≥$1,128/week, and highly compensated employees ≥$151,164/year (U.S. DOL, January 2025).
Risk: Misclassification or unpaid overtime risks Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DOLIR) or U.S. DOL audits, with steep penalties.

Missouri Rules: Minors under 14 restricted to limited roles (e.g., entertainment with permits); 14–15 capped at 3 hours/school day, 8 hours/non-school day, 18 hours/school week (9 p.m. limit June 1–Labor Day); 16–17 unrestricted on hours but barred from hazardous jobs (e.g., mining) (Missouri Revised Statutes, § 294.030). Work permits required under 16. Entertainment industry: meal break every 5.5 hours, 15-minute rest every 2 hours for youth.
Federal FLSA: Aligns with Missouri, but state’s permit and break rules are stricter—state law prevails where more protective.
Compliance Note: Fines up to $10,000 per hazardous violation; federal penalties reach $15,629 per instance, or $71,031 if injury/death occurs.

Federal FLSA: 3-year retention of payroll, hours, and employment records.
Missouri Addition: 3-year minimum retention, including names, addresses, hours worked, wages, and deductions (Missouri Revised Statutes, § 290.520). Pay stubs required for employees 16+. Records must be accessible to employees upon request.
Key Detail: Non-compliance risks fines up to $1,000 per violation and weakens legal defenses in disputes.

Federal: U.S. DOL enforces with back wages, liquidated damages, and fines up to $2,653 per wage violation (2025 rate). Child labor penalties: $15,629/instance, or $71,031 if injury/death occurs.
Missouri: DOLIR enforces with back wages, double damages for willful violations, fines up to $1,000 per wage violation, and $10,000 per child labor violation (Missouri Revised Statutes, § 290.527). Criminal penalties possible for repeat willful offenses.
Overlap: Dual enforcement compounds liability—federal and state penalties can stack.

CFOs and Managers: Missouri’s $13.75/hour minimum (rising to $15.00/hour in 2026), strict tipped wage rules, and new paid sick leave (effective May 1, 2025, under Proposition A) elevate compliance stakes. A payroll error or misclassification could cost thousands—or millions in class-action suits—given DOLIR’s aggressive enforcement.
Avoid Costly Mistakes: Audit your payroll and policies with Missouri-specific FLSA expertise to dodge penalties and litigation.

Safeguard your business—align with Missouri’s evolving labor laws and federal FLSA standards. Contact an expert for a tailored audit now.