.png){kind=small}
Chat with us now!
Send Email!
Labor laws in Arkansas seek to establish a balanced compatibility between the interests of employees and employers while providing safe and equitable work environments. Arkansas conforms to federal labor legislation like the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) but also maintains some state-specific regulations that all employers must adhere to.
The state has rigorous recordkeeping, payment of wages, and workplace safety standards to curb unfair labor practices. Racial, gender, disability, age, or religious discrimination is prohibited strictly, and violations of which invite harsh penalties and legal action.
Standard Working Hours
As per the Arkansas labor laws, Arkansas employers need to remain vigilant to state and federal wage laws, especially with the state minimum now at $11.00 an hour, more than the federal level of $7.25.
Minimum Wages
The minimum wage in Arkansas as of January 1, 2025 is $11 per hour for most employers who have four or more employees. There are some exceptions, though. Executive, administrative, and professional employees who meet certain requirements are exempt, along with students working at the schools they attend. Independent contractors and outside salespeople who receive a commission are also exempt.
Overtime Laws
As Arkansas labor laws for salary employees per, Arkansas adheres to the overtime rules set forth by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which mandates that any work beyond 40 hours in one workweek be paid at a rate of 1.5 times the worker’s regular hourly pay.
Tipped Minimum Wages
Arkansas tipped workers must be paid a minimum of $2.63 an hour. Their total pay, including tips, must be at least the state minimum wage of $11.00 an hour. If the employee’s tips plus their base pay do not come to this amount, the employer has to make up the difference so the worker receives the minimum standard wage.
Meal And Rest Breaks
Arkansas doesn’t mandate employers to offer meal periods or rest breaks to adult employees as per the Arkansas labor laws breaks. Whether breaks are provided is entirely at the employer’s discretion unless specified in a contract or collective bargaining agreement. If an employer does provide breaks, FLSA rules apply:
- Rest breaks under 20 minutes must be paid.
- Meal periods lasting 30 minutes or more can be unpaid, but only if the employee is completely relieved of duties during that time.
Arkansas law does require meal breaks for employees under 16 years who work more than 5 consecutive hours. Specifically:
- This break must be given no later than the end of the fifth hour worked.
- The employer must provide a 30-minute uninterrupted meal break.
- The law does not indicate whether the break must be paid, but under FLSA rules, if the minor is required to perform any work during the break, it must be compensated.
Leave Laws
| Leave Type | Description |
| Family and Medical Leave | There is no state law requiring family or medical leave in Arkansas. However, certain employees might qualify under the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), which covers employers with 50 or more workers.
FMLA grants up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for purposes including the birth of a child and care for the:
|
| Paid Sick Leave | There is no state law or federal requirement that employers give paid sick leave to workers. Any paid sick leave given is up to the employer. |
| Paid Family Leave | Arkansas lacks a state-level paid family leave policy. Workers can still be eligible for unpaid, job-protected leave under the FMLA if applicable. |
| Military Leave | Workers who work in the U.S. Armed Forces are afforded job-protected leave under federal USERRA regulations. The leave is not mandatory to be paid. |
| Pregnancy and Parental Leave | The State of Arkansas does not require pregnancy or parental leave. Employees can, however, qualify under the federal FMLA for pregnancy, childbirth, or taking care of a newborn leave. |
| Vacation and Personal Leave | Arkansas employers are not obligated by law to give vacation or personal leave. Any leave given is an optional benefit at the discretion of the employer’s policy. |
| Jury Duty Leave | Employers are required to provide employees with time off for jury duty without penalty. Payment is not mandatory, but workers can’t be retaliated against for serving. |
| Voting Leave | Employers are required to give time off to vote to employees if their work schedule does not leave them with enough time to vote during polling hours. This leave does not necessarily have to be paid. |
Child Labor Laws
Minimum Working Age
Work for children under the age of 14 is typically prohibited, although some exceptions apply, including delivering newspapers or acting. At the age of 16, children are allowed to work.
Work Permits
Children under the age of 16 no longer require work permits, with the exception of those in the entertainment industry. In this case, they have to register with the Arkansas Division of Labor Standards prior to starting work.
| Age Group | When School is in Session | When School is Not in Session | Restrictions on Types of Work |
| 14 and 15-year-olds |
|
|
All children under the age of 18 are barred from certain dangerous types of jobs, including:
|
| 16 and 17-year-olds |
|
Same as above | Same as above |
As per the Arkansas labor laws for minors, Individuals aged 19 and above can sell or serve alcoholic drinks in licensed public places.
Taxes In Arkansas
Arkansas has a graduated state individual income tax, with a range of 2.00% to 4.40% based on income levels. The state also has a graduated corporate income tax, with a range of 1.0% to 4.8%. Further, Arkansas has a 6.5% state sales tax, and the average combined state and local general sales tax is around 9.45%, varying with the area.
Worried about generating accurate paystubs? – Use Stub Creator
The generation of correct and compliant paystubs is among the most prevalent problems encountered by small business owners and employers. Processing payroll manually frequently results in errors such as miscredited deductions, tax errors, or omitted payment information.
Such errors might confuse employees, result in compliance violations, and even lead to fines for businesses. In the absence of a systematic approach, the production of professional paystubs is a labor-intensive and stressful activity that takes the focus away from more essential business processes.
That’s where Free paystub generator provides a convenient solution. They streamline the whole payroll process by easily calculating earnings, deductions, and taxes in an accurate and compliant manner as per state and federal laws.
FAQs:
How many hours can you work in Arkansas without a break?
Arkansas adults do not enjoy legal protection for rest or meal breaks under state law, although employers are legally obliged to offer them. Short breaks of less than 20 minutes must be paid; meal breaks of at least 30 minutes may go unpaid if completely relieved from duty during that period.
What rights do workers have in Arkansas?
Arkansas workers have the right to receive at least the state minimum wage and overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours in a week, free from workplace discrimination based on race, gender, religion, disability or age. Employees also enjoy safe working conditions with possible workers’ compensation eligibility should they become injured on the job; timely payment of wages.
How many days in a row can you legally work in Arkansas?
Arkansas does not restrict the number of consecutive days an employee must work, allowing employers to legally schedule employees for seven or more consecutive workdays without needing a day off unless specified in a labor contract, union agreement, or company policy.
What are the payroll laws in Arkansas?
Arkansas payroll laws mandate employers to pay employees at least semi-monthly and issue final paychecks by the next regular payday after termination or non-exemption. Non-exempt employees must receive overtime at 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in any workweek, as well as withholding state and federal taxes and keeping accurate payroll records.
Is 32 hours considered full-time in Arkansas?
Arkansas does not impose a legal definition of full-time employment; employers define what counts as full time for them based on company policy rather than state law. Many employers consider 32 hours as full-time as per the Arkansas labor laws for hourly employees in terms of benefits eligibility though this decision ultimately lies with them alone.
Is PTO mandatory in Arkansas?
Arkansas law does not mandate employers to offer paid time off (PTO), vacation days, or sick leave to employees; rather it is considered a voluntary benefit that employers may choose to offer at their own discretion.
What is the tip law in Arkansas?
Arkansas law states that tipped employees can receive a base wage of $2.63 an hour as long as their tips bring total earnings to at least $11.00 an hour; otherwise, employers must make up any shortfall between tips and cash wage earnings.
Is the minimum wage in Arkansas $15 an hour?
Arkansas currently mandates an hourly minimum wage of $11.00, applicable for employers with four or more employees, but has yet to increase to $15.00 as per state law as of 2025.
What is a living wage in Arkansas?
Arkansas defines a living wage as the hourly rate necessary to cover basic necessities like housing, food, healthcare and transportation. An adult’s estimated living wage averages roughly $19.00 an hour, depending on country.
What is the Arkansas minimum wage in 2025?
As of 2025, Arkansas has maintained a minimum hourly wage rate of $11.00 for most employees working for employers with at least four workers; tipped employees continue to receive a minimum cash wage of $2.63 provided that their total earnings, including tips, equal or surpass $11.00 an hour.
Can an employer withhold a final paycheck in Arkansas?
Employers in Arkansas must pay all wages owed to former employees by their next regular payday, without withholding anything for reasons unrelated to lawful deductions or as punishment.
How many days can you work without a day off in Arkansas?
Arkansas does not impose restrictions on how often an employee works consecutive days, so employers are free to schedule employees every week if desired. Many employers voluntarily provide rest days or use rotating schedules in order to minimize fatigue and maintain productivity.
Does Arkansas have sick leave law?
Arkansas law does not mandate paid sick leave for private employers, though businesses may voluntarily offer it as part of their benefits plans. Eligible employees under federal legislation, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act.
How much do waitresses make an hour in Arkansas?
Waitresses in Arkansas typically earn a base wage of $2.63 an hour plus tips. Their total pay must meet or surpass Arkansas’ minimum hourly wage of $11.00 an hour; actual earnings may depend on location, shift work patterns, and customer generosity.
FAQ's Is overtime taxed in Arkansas? + Overtime pay in Arkansas is subject to both state and federal taxes. Employees must pay income tax, Social Security, and Medicare contributions on overtime earnings. Is $22 an hour good in Arkansas? + Arkansas considers an hourly wage of $22 as good, since this figure exceeds both the state minimum wage and typical hourly earnings in many industries. At 40 hours per week, this amounts to roughly $45,000 annually. What is the best place to live in Arkansas? + Fayetteville, Bentonville, Rogers, and Little Rock are among the best places to live in Arkansas, providing job opportunities as well as affordable housing, great schools and recreational amenities. What is the poverty line in Arkansas for a single person? + Arkansas single individuals in 2025 would require about $14,580-annual income before taxes to qualify for programs; this poverty threshold can also help determine eligibility for programs like welfare. How much does McDonald's pay in Arkansas? + McDonald's wages in Arkansas vary based on a worker's position, experience, and location. Entry-level crew members usually begin earning near the state minimum wage of $11.00 an hour. What is the overtime law in Arkansas? + Overtime laws in Arkansas stipulate that non-exempt employees be paid one and a half times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked beyond 40 in one week, except certain salaried professionals like executives and administrative professionals who may be exempt.
