Minimum Wage Questions
Questions about your minimum wage rights in Missouri.
How do I calculate the hourly rate to be paid for employees who receive piece rates / fees-for-service?
For employees paid by piece rate or fee-for-service, calculate a reasonable estimate of what they would have earned for the services they would have provided if present.
How do I calculate the hourly rate to be paid for employees who receive tips/gratuities?
Tipped employees must be paid either their regular hourly rate or the state minimum wage, whichever is higher, with no deduction for tips.
How do I calculate the hourly rate to be paid for employees who earn multiple hourly rates?
Employers can either pay what the employee would have earned for the specific hours missed, or calculate a weighted average of all hourly rates from the last pay period.
How do I calculate the hourly rate to be paid for employees who are salaried?
For salaried employees, divide their wages from the previous pay period by the total hours worked. For exempt employees, assume 40 hours per week unless their normal schedule is less.
Can I be required to pay my tips into a tip pool with other workers?
You can be required to share tips with other workers who regularly receive tips, but not with management, owners, or back-of-house staff who don't typically receive tips.
Do all workers get paid sick leave?
Proposition A 2024 was overturned by Missouri state lawmakers, but workers can still accrue and use earned paid sick days until August 28, 2025. Nearly all private sector employees were guaranteed paid sick leave under the original law.
If I employ less than 15 people, am I required to pay 'earned paid sick time' benefits?
Yes, regardless of the number of employees, any employer who is not exempt from the provisions of Proposition A must provide paid sick time benefits.
Does every job have to pay the minimum wage?
Nearly every job is required to pay the minimum wage, regardless of your age, length of employment or probationary period, with a few minor exceptions.
How many hours of 'earned paid sick time' can roll over year-to-year?
Up to 80 hours of unused earned paid sick time can roll over between years. Alternatively, employers may pay out unused time and provide new time at the beginning of the next year.
What about tipped employees?
Tipped employees must be paid a base wage of $6.875/hour in 2025 and $7.50/hour in 2026, with tips on top. If tips don't reach the full minimum wage, employers must make up the difference.
What is paid sick leave?
Paid sick leave is paid time off work due to your need to care for your illness or to care for someone that you have a caregiving relationship with, such as a parent, sibling or child.
What is the minimum wage now?
Proposition A 2024 was overturned by Missouri state lawmakers, but the minimum wage will still increase to $15/hour on January 1, 2026. As of January 1st, 2025 the Missouri minimum wage is $13.75/hour.
When does the minimum wage go to $15/hour?
The minimum wage in Missouri is $15/hour on January 1st, 2026.
What is a summary of the new statute?
The new statute (RSMo §§ 290.600–290.642) establishes earned paid sick time requirements, defines key terms, outlines employer obligations, prohibits retaliation, and creates enforcement mechanisms.
What is the new law?
The new law amends Missouri's minimum wage law and establishes paid sick leave requirements, increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2026 and requiring employers to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every thirty hours worked.
What was the text of the 2024 Proposition A ballot measure?
The official ballot title for Proposition A outlines increasing the minimum wage to $15/hour by 2026 and requiring employers to provide paid sick leave.