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Iowa labor laws are in place to provide a just, safe, and equal work environment for everyone. They provide protection against discrimination, temporary leave from work for personal reasons, and impose workplace safety regulations to avoid accidents and injury.
Employees in the United States are protected by a combination of federal, state, and local labor laws. In Iowa, most workplace regulations adhere to federal standards. Familiarity with these laws is crucial for employers and workers alike to avoid non-compliance and safeguard workplace rights.
Standard Working Hours
Iowa labor laws for hourly employees follows federal regulations for wages, maximum work hours, and overtime wages.
Minimum Wages
Iowa’s minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage and was last increased in 2008. This wage does not, however, apply to some small retail and service establishments having annual gross revenue of less than $300,000.
Some other exceptions are:
- Administrative and supervisory staff are paid on a salary basis.
- Staff members in their initial 90 days on the job, under which category, employers can pay $6.35 an hour for this duration.
Overtime Laws
Iowa has no distinct state overtime law. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is applied instead, and it mandates non-exempt workers to receive 1.5 times their normal compensation for work time in excess of 40 hours in a workweek.
Exempted from FLSA overtime provisions are:
- Outside sales employees.
- Executive, administrative, and professional employees.
- Computer employees.
- Casual babysitters.
- Railroad and air carrier employees.
- Live-in domestic service employees.
Tipped Minimum Wages
In Iowa, the tipped minimum wage is $4.35 an hour. Employers can pay this rate if the employee’s total earnings from wages and tips are at least $7.25 an hour.
Meal And Rest Breaks
Unlike most states, it has no Iowa labor laws breaks that obligate employers to give adult workers meal or rest periods. Breaks are mostly optional unless ordered by a union agreement or regulatory agency.
But there are certain exceptions:
- Minors aged under 16 working at least 5 hours a day are entitled to a 30-minute break, according to child labor regulations.
- Break times can be designated for unionized workers in collective bargaining agreements.
- Some classes of workers, like airline pilots, are governed by regulations requiring regular rest periods for safety.
- Nursing mothers are covered by the FLSA and are eligible for break time for nursing.
Iowa employers need to be knowledgeable about these Iowa labor laws for salaried employees to guarantee compliance and support the well-being of the employees.
Iowa Labor Laws for Minors
Iowa laws regarding child labor establish explicit regulations to safeguard children at work. Generally, children must be a minimum of 14 years old to work, with a few exceptions for home-working children, children working for their parents, or during summer vacation.
Work permits were previously needed for employees who were minors, but the requirement was eliminated in 2023.
| Category | Age Group / Details | Rules / Restrictions |
| Work Hour Limitations by Age | 14 and 15-Year-Olds | May work between school hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Up to 6 hours during a school day and 8 hours on a weekend day.
Minimum of 28 hours per week during school periods. |
| 16 and 17-Year-Olds | No limits on school-year work hours. From June 1 through Labor Day, you may work 7 a.m. through 11 p.m., up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week. | |
| Additional Compliance | All Employers | Iowa employers are also subject to the federal FLSA, which provides further restrictions for minor workers. A full list of prohibited occupations is available via the Iowa Division of Labor. |
| Approved Work Activities | 14 and 15-Year-Olds | Allowed: Retail and food service, office and clerical work, cleanup work, and car washing.
For 15-year-olds: Stocking shelves (up to 30 lbs), lifeguards, swimming instructors. |
| Restricted Work Activities | 14 and 15-Year-Olds | Forbidden: Manufacturing, mining, warehousing, construction, cooking (with exceptions), operation of certain machinery. |
| All Minors | Strictly forbidden: Explosive work, logging, power-driven equipment, meat slaughtering, roofing, excavation, dry cleaning. | |
| 16 and 17-Year-Olds | May serve alcohol only under certain circumstances. |
Health & Workplace Safety
Iowa has a state workplace safety and health plan, which is operated by Iowa OSHA, covering the majority of private sector employers, plus local and state government workplaces. The state subscribes to federal OSHA standards but also has its own requirements for particular workers and hazards.
Employers in Iowa are required to:
- Maintain a workplace that is free from recognized hazards.
- Meet all OSHA regulations, rules, and standards.
- Provide employees with the required safety equipment.
- Post the OSHA workplace poster.
- Record workplace injuries and illnesses (for employers with 10 or more workers).
- Notify Iowa OSHA within 8 hours of workplace fatalities and 24 hours of serious events (hospitalization, amputation, or loss of an eye).
Employees who suspect OSHA violations may report them to Iowa OSHA for investigation or receive informal counsel online.
Leave Laws
Workers occasionally require leave from employment for personal or family reasons, like medical treatment or taking care of a loved one. The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) has leave labor laws in Iowa- allow qualified employees to take protected, unpaid leave under limited situations.
The FMLA applies to employees of:
- Private employers with 50 or more workers within a 75-mile radius
- Government agencies
- Elementary or secondary schools
- Eligibility for FMLA Leave
FMLA Leave Entitlements:
Qualifying employees can use up to 12 weeks of FMLA leave annually, either consecutively or intermittently, for:
- Birth or adoption of a child.
- When a military family member is deployed to active duty.
- Taking care of a family member (spouse, child, or parent) with a serious medical condition.
- Dealing with a personal medical condition that interferes with their work.
Taxes In Iowa
Iowa levies a graduated state individual income tax, 4.40% to 5.70%. There are also local income taxes to which some local jurisdictions add, in addition to the state tax.
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Curious Minds Also Ask
How long can you work without a break in Iowa?
Iowa law does not mandate meal or rest breaks for adults. Only children under 16 receive a 30-minute break when working 5+ hours.
How many hours can you legally work in a day in Iowa?
There are no daily hour restrictions for adults in Iowa. Federal law overtime requirements cover after 40 hours of work per week.
What are the paycheck laws in Iowa?
Wages must be paid by the employer at least once a month on regular paydays. Last wages should be paid on the following regular payday.
What are my rights as an employee in Iowa?
Employees are owed minimum wage, overtime (if non-exempt), safe working conditions, and anti-discrimination protection.
Does Iowa have to pay PTO when you quit?
Yes, if the employer’s policy or agreement guarantees payment of unused PTO, it should be fulfilled.
What is a livable wage in Iowa?
The minimum wage is $7.25/hour, but the living wage estimates differ, averaging $15–17/hour for a single adult with no children.
Can you be fired without warning in Iowa?
Yes, Iowa is an at-will state, which means employers can fire at will unless it is against discrimination or contract law.
Is 32 hours full-time in Iowa?
Iowa statute does not specify full-time hours. Employers often use 30–40 hours per week as full-time.
What is considered wrongful termination in Iowa?
Termination is wrongful if it’s based on discrimination, retaliation, breach of contract, or violation of public policy.
Do I have to give 2 weeks notice in Iowa?
No statute mandates notice before quitting, although two weeks’ notice is a professional courtesy.
Is Iowa an at-will work state?
Yes, Iowa adheres to the at-will employment doctrine with some exceptions, such as discrimination and retaliation protections.
Can you get unemployment if you get fired in Iowa?
Yes, if you were laid off without misconduct. Misconduct will disqualify you, but poor performance generally won’t.
What is a 7 day notice to quit in Iowa?
It’s a landlord-tenant notice requiring tenants to repair a lease breach in 7 days or vacate.
What can disqualify you from unemployment benefits in Iowa?
Quitting for no good reason, misconduct, refusal to work, or failing to comply with job search conditions can disqualify you.
What is considered misconduct for unemployment in Iowa?
Misconduct consists of willful disregard of company rules, theft, habitual tardiness, or violence in the workplace.
How long can you claim unemployment in Iowa?
Typically, benefits expire after 16–26 weeks based on work experience and the unemployment rate of the state.
FAQ's
What is the minimum wage in Iowa for 2025?
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As of 2025, the minimum wage in Iowa is $8.60 per hour for non-tipped employees. Employers must pay tipped employees at least $4.35 per hour, provided tips bring their total earnings up to the standard minimum wage. Federal law may apply if it requires a higher wage.
What are Iowa’s rules for overtime pay?
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Iowa law requires that most employees be paid overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Certain exemptions apply, such as for executive, administrative, and professional employees.
What are the child labor laws in Iowa?
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Minors under 16 have restrictions on work hours and types of jobs they can perform. For example, they cannot work during school hours and are limited in the number of hours per day and week. Youth under 18 are prohibited from hazardous occupations.
Are meal and rest breaks required in Iowa?
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Iowa does not have a state law requiring meal or rest breaks for most employees, but federal law under the Fair Labor Standards Act requires that breaks under 20 minutes be paid. Employers may still choose to provide breaks.
