Mississippi Labor Laws: A Complete Guide to Wages, Breaks, Overtime, and More (2025)

Explore Mississippi labor laws in our comprehensive guide covering wages, breaks, overtime, and more for 2025. Stay informed on your rights and employer responsibilities in the workplace.

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FAQs
What is the current minimum wage in Mississippi?

Mississippi adheres to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. There have been proposals to increase it, but no changes have been enacted as of now. Legislative proposals include:

House Bill 16 and House Bill 67 propose raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour.

House Bill 71 aims for a minimum wage of $10 per hour and tipped employees a minimum of $3.62 per hour.

House Bill 306 propose raising the minimum wage to $8.50 per hour.

House Bill 575 aims for a minimum wage of $10 per hour except tipped employees.

Are meal and rest breaks required in Mississippi?

Employers may provide unpaid meal breaks of up to 30 minutes. Federal law mandates that paid breaks last up to 20 minutes, but there are no state laws requiring rest breaks.

What are the new family leave provisions in 2025?

Starting in 2025, Mississippi will implement a state-mandated paid family leave program, allowing up to 12 weeks of paid leave for family-related matters, in addition to the existing unpaid leave under FMLA.

How is overtime calculated in Mississippi?

Employees must receive at least 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for any hours worked over 40 in a workweek, following federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines.

What are the penalties for violating labor laws in Mississippi?

Violations can result in fines, imprisonment for child labor violations, and significant penalties for failing to comply with OSHA standards. Employees may also pursue civil actions for damages against non-compliant employers.

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