Minimum Wage in Mississippi

Quick Guide to Mississippi Minimum Wage

Minimum Wages in Mississippi

The state of Mississippi is one of five states that do not have a state mandated minimum wage. Instead, all employees and employers within the state of Mississippi must regard rules under the federal Fair Labor and Standards Act.

Currently, and in connection with the FLSA, the current minimum wage in Mississippi is $7.25 per hour. However, minimum wages in Mississippi for tipped employees are quite different. “Tipped employees” may have a cash wage of at least $2.13 per hour if the tip credit is at least equal to minimum wage. If the employee does not make equal to minimum wage, the employer is responsible for compensating the remainder of the minimum wages in Mississippi.

There are certain exemptions discussed within this article, as well as more information provided by Department of Labor in this article as well.

Overtime Minimum Wage in Mississippi

The current overtime minimum wage in Mississippi is $10.90 when rounded to the nearest nickel. Mandatory overtime is often required if the employer places such provisions within an employer/employee contract. If an employee believes they have not been provided within overtime pay or fair wages in general, they can claim backed minimum wages in Mississippi by filing a wage claim.

Can an Employer pay a smaller minimum wage in Mississippi for training employees?

If an employee under the age of 20 has worked 90 days or less, an employer may pay a minimum wage in Mississippi of at least $4.25 per hour. This type of payment is not the same as federal “training wage,” and if an employee has quit and then decided to return to work, the 90-day training wage does not start over again.

Additionally, some full-time students, student learner, apprentices, and workers within disabilities may receives less minimum wages in Mississippi under certificates issued by the Department of Labor.

Minimum Wages in Mississippi for Minors

Many minors won’t qualify for overtime minimum wage in Mississippi because of federal child labor laws. For example, a person has to been at least 16 to work in most non-farm related jobs, and a person under the age of 18 cannot work in hazardous professions.

However, some minors the age of 14 and 15 can work outside of school hours in certain industries, but they cannot work in hazardous jobs and they cannot receive overtime minimum wages in Mississippi in any circumstances.

A person who is 14 or 15 in the state of MS cannot work more than 3 hours on a school day or 18 hours during the school week. Additionally, a person the age of 14 or 15 cannot work more than 8 hours on a non-school day or 40 hours during a non-school week.

What will happen to my employer if the violate wage laws?

If an employer violates minimum wage laws or overtime laws, they can receive a fine up to $11,000 for each employee and up to $50,000 for each violation of child labor that cause serious injury to the minor workers.