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Mississippi labor laws provide the basis for equitable practices in the workplace and guarantee employers and employees alike the knowledge of their rights and obligations. Whereas federal legislation, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) provides general standards for labor, Mississippi fills in the gaps with further state regulations that cover matters ranging from minimum wage to overtime, child labor, and workplace safety.
For employers, compliance is not merely about evading penalties or fines; it’s about creating a safe, legal, and respectful workplace. For workers, familiarity with these laws shields against unjust treatment, wage theft, and hazardous conditions.
In this guide, we’ll distil the key elements of Mississippi work laws, such as wage and hour laws, leave laws, protections against discrimination, and workers’ rights in the workplace.
Standard Working Hours
Within the United States, federal minimum wage statutes establish a standard of fair pay, which guarantees employees the right to at least a minimum amount of money for each hour worked. Overwork protections exist in the form of overtime provisions, mandating extra compensation for work above 40 hours in one week.
Minimum wage
Mississippi does not provide its own state legislation regulating minimum wage. It has to comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which prescribes the federal minimum wage at $7.25 an hour.
State law also bars Mississippi counties and cities from establishing their own private employer minimum wage rates.
While the federal minimum wage applies to most workers, there are a few exemptions. Employers may pay a youth minimum wage of $4.25 per hour to employees under 20 years old, but only for the first 90 consecutive days of their employment. If the employee turns 20 during that period, they must then be paid the regular minimum wage.
Overtime Laws
Mississippi follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for overtime requirements. According to such regulations, nonexempt workers should be paid 1.5 times their regular rate per hour for all work over 40 hours in a workweek.
Some employees are exempted from the payment of overtime. These exemptions include executive staff, commissioned employees, and certain computer professionals.
For an exhaustive list of job types and exemption standards, employers can consult the Wage and Hour Division of the U.S. Department of Labor.
Tipped Minimum Wages
Mississippi permits employers to pay qualified employees the tipped minimum rate of $2.13 an hour, provided certain requirements are satisfied.
In order to qualify, the employee must receive a minimum of $30 in tips during the month. When added to the base tipped wage, the combined total should equal or surpass the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour.
Meal And Rest Breaks
Mississippi does not mandate with Mississippi labor laws breaks that employers offer meal or rest breaks to employees of all ages.
However, employers are required to permit breastfeeding employees for their children. The breaks should be paid or unpaid but occur in an appropriate, private area.
For FLSA-covered employers, any breaks less than 20 minutes are required to be paid. Mississippi law does not require breaks, but most employers offer them as a way to allow employees time to rest or eat.
Leave Laws
Leaves of absence allow workers to take time off for family business, illness, care for family, or the birth of a new child. Mississippi has fewer required leaves than most states, but federal legislation is still in effect.
| Leave Type | Mississippi Law / Requirement | Additional Notes |
| Vacation Leave | Not mandated by state law | Employers may offer paid or unpaid vacation. Policies often based on tenure; employers decide accrual, rollover, and payout of unused days. |
| Jury Duty Leave | Unpaid leave required | Employees cannot be forced to use vacation or sick leave. Employers may voluntarily pay wages during jury duty. |
| Maternity and Paternity Leave | No state-specific requirement beyond FMLA | Employees can take unpaid, job-protected leave under FMLA. Some employers voluntarily offer paid parental leave. |
| Bereavement Leave | Not required by state law | Employers may provide 1–5 days off for grieving; policies vary by employer. |
| Military Leave | Job-protected under USERRA and state law | Employers must reinstate employees with same position, seniority, status, and pay.
Up to 15 days paid leave for training; additional unpaid leave as necessary. |
| Family and Medical Leave (FMLA) | Up to 12 weeks unpaid per year | Eligible employees: worked 12 months (≥25 hours/week) or 1,250 hours/year at a location with 50+ employees.
For personal or family medical reasons. |
| Pregnancy Disability Leave | No additional state-specific requirements beyond FMLA/PWFA | Employers may voluntarily offer paid or unpaid leave. |
| Sick Leave | Not mandated beyond FMLA | Employers may offer paid or unpaid sick days; commonly 5–10 days per year. |
Child Labor Laws
Mississippi establishes the minimum age for most jobs as 14, with the mandate of the Mississippi labor laws for minors. Children under 14 years cannot work in some hazardous or industrial establishments, with 14- and 15-year-olds allowed to work under special conditions.
For minors of 14 and 15 years old, work in such establishments is permissible if the following requirements are fulfilled:
- Work is not done prior to 6 a.m. or later than 7 p.m.
- Daily work does not exceed 8 hours.
- Weekly work does not exceed 44 hours.
Employers are also required to follow documentation requirements:
- Obtain and maintain a signed agreement form from the parent or legal guardian of the minor.
- Maintain a school certificate attesting to the child’s age, grade, previous school attended, and the name of the teacher.
The children under 14 years cannot be employed in:
- Mills
- Canneries
- Workshops
- Factories
- Manufacturing facilities
Furthermore, county health officers must carry out at least two unannounced inspections yearly to monitor workplaces where children are used.
Employee Compensation
As per the Mississippi labor laws for salaried employees, workers are only paid for the time they work. When workers report for work but there’s no work to be done, workers are not paid for that time.
Payday Frequency and Method
Mississippi doesn’t have a universal state law that dictates how frequently employees should be paid, so the majority of employers adhere to federal regulations. Federal law mandates that employees receive pay on a regular and recurring basis, and changes to pay periods need to be permanent and for legitimate business purposes.
Paystub Requirements
While the Mississippi labor laws do not mandate employers to give paystubs or wage statements to workers, employers often do so to keep a record and remain transparent.
Taxes In Mississippi
Mississippi has a 4.70% flat individual income tax for residents. Businesses are taxed with a graduated corporate income tax, with a 4.0 to 5.0 percent tax rate based on taxable income.
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By getting paystub from Stub Creator, companies can automate their payroll process completely. Calculation and paperwork are handled by automation, so employers can concentrate on expanding business, while employees enjoy timely and accurate wage details every pay cycle.
Curious Minds Also Ask
How many hours can you work without a break in Mississippi?
Mississippi does not require breaks; if breaks of under 20 minutes are provided, they have to be paid. Meal breaks of over 30 minutes may be unpaid when the employee is completely relieved of all duties.
How many days in a row can you work without a day off in Mississippi?
There is no state law on consecutive workdays; employees have to be paid for all time worked, and overtime applies as per federal FLSA standards.
How many hours can a 15 year old work in Mississippi?
15-year-olds can work a maximum of 3 hours per school day, 18 hours per school week, 8 hours per non-school day, and 40 hours per non-school week; working is illegal during the hours of 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. in some industries.
How many hours is full-time in Mississippi?
Mississippi does not have a definition of full-time employment; the majority of employers view 30–40 hours per week as full-time.
What is the overtime law in Mississippi?
Overtime: Non-exempt workers must receive 1.5 times their usual hourly rate for work in excess of 40 hours per week (FLSA).
Is holiday pay mandatory in Mississippi?
Holiday pay is optional; it is voluntary.
What is the minimum wage in Mississippi?
Minimum wage: $7.25 an hour; those under 20 years of age can earn $4.25 an hour for the first 90 consecutive days.
How many breaks are in an 8 hour shift in Mississippi?
No required number of breaks during an 8-hour shift; breaks are discretionary on the part of the employer.
What are my rights as an employee in Mississippi?
Workers are protected by federal regulations, such as anti-discrimination, wage, and workplace safety laws.
What is an exempt employee in Mississippi?
Exempt employees are not paid for overtime; usually consists of executive, administrative, and professional workers qualifying under FLSA standards.
What is the pay frequency law in Mississippi?
No statewide general pay frequency statute; manufacturers with 50+ employees must pay twice a month.
Does your employer have to pay you for unused vacation time in Mississippi?
Employers are not obligated to compensate for unused vacation unless the company policy states so.
What is the leave policy in Mississippi?
Mississippi has no paid leave requirement; unpaid leave is taken under FMLA.
Can you sue your employer in Mississippi?
Workers can bring suit against employers for federal labor law violations, such as wage grievances, discrimination, or retaliation.
What is wrongful termination in Mississippi?
Wrongful firing happens only if the discharge is against federal laws, like discrimination or retaliation safeguards; Mississippi is an “at-will” employment state.
Is 32 hours full time in Mississippi?
Mississippi does not have a definition of full-time; some employers might view 32 hours a week as full-time, but benefit eligibility differs.
Paystub In The USA: Everything Employers And Employees Need To Know
FAQ's
What is the minimum wage in Mississippi for 2025?
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Mississippi follows the federal minimum wage rate, which remains at $7.25 per hour in 2025. Employers must comply with this rate unless federal law updates the amount.
Are Mississippi employers required to provide paid sick leave?
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No, Mississippi law does not mandate paid sick leave. However, some employers may offer it voluntarily or as part of company policy.
What are the overtime rules in Mississippi for 2025?
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Employees covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must receive 1.5 times their regular pay for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. Certain exempt positions, such as executive or professional roles, may not qualify.
Can Mississippi employees be terminated without notice?
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Yes. Mississippi is an “at-will” employment state, meaning employers can terminate employees for any reason or no reason at all, provided it’s not discriminatory or retaliatory under state or federal law.
