Need Professional Help? Talk to an Employment Rights Attorney.
Wage and Hour Laws by State
The federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) creates some basic wage and hour protections for most employees who work in the United States. But the FLSA is a floor, not a ceiling: States are free to create higher standards for workers, and many have. Some states have a higher minimum wage that the federal standard (currently $7.25 an hour); some have more protective overtime rules; and some require employers to provide meal and/or rest breaks, which are not required by federal law.
If your state offers more rights than federal law, you are entitled to the protections that are most beneficial to you. To find out how your state handles wage and hour issues, select it from the list below.
State Wage and Hour Laws
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
D.C.
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
How to Calculate Your Wage Claim by State
If your employer is violating the FLSA, or the wage laws of your state, you may have a wage claim. For example, your employer may owe you a higher hourly rate, unpaid overtime, or even penalties for certain wage violations. Each state has its own process for handling wage claims. In most states, you can file an administrative complaint with a government agency, such as the state Department of Labor. By selecting your state below, you can find out how to calculate your unpaid wages, how to identify any penalties that you are owed, and how to file a wage claim in your state.
