Missouri employment rules for employers
Last verified Sep 24, 2026 · 4 verified rules · How we verify every rule
General information, not legal advice. This page is for general information only and isn’t legal, financial or tax advice. Laws vary by state and change; check the official source or talk to a qualified professional about your situation. Every rule on this page links to its official source.
Minimum wage
Missouri's state minimum wage is $15.00 per hour. (Missouri minimum wage law (DOL WHD state minimum wage table, updated July 1, 2026))
What is the minimum wage?$15.00 per hourVerified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources
Missouri's state minimum wage is $15.00 per hour. (Missouri minimum wage law (DOL WHD state minimum wage table, updated July 1, 2026))
“Missouri Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $15.00”
“Thereafter, the minimum wage established by this subsection shall be increased by $1.25 per hour, to $15.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2026.”
Used in: How to hire your first employee
Paydays
How often do you have to pay?Semi-monthlyVerified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources
Corporations doing business in Missouri (and railroad operators) must pay wages at least semi-monthly; at the employer's option, executive, administrative and professional employees and employees paid on commission may be paid monthly. (Missouri payday law (DOL WHD State Payday Requirements table))
“Missouri X”
“All corporations doing business in this state, and all persons operating railroads or railroad shops in this state, shall pay the wages and salaries of their employees as often as semimonthly, within sixteen days of the close of each payroll period”
Used in: How to hire your first employee
Meal breaks
Do adult employees get a meal break?Not verified yetCheck the official source
We have not verified this rule for Missouri yet. Check the official source: dol.gov.
Rest breaks
Do adult employees get paid rest breaks?Not verified yetCheck the official source
We have not verified this rule for Missouri yet. Check the official source: dol.gov.
Final paycheck
If you fire someone, when is the last paycheck due?Not verified yetCheck the official source
We have not verified this rule for Missouri yet. Check the official source: revisor.mo.gov.
If an employee quits, when is the last paycheck due?Not verified yetCheck the official source
We have not verified this rule for Missouri yet. Check the official source: revisor.mo.gov.
Final paycheck laws by state · Final paycheck date calculator
Used in: How to fire an employee in your state · Employee no call, no show: what to do · An employee resigned: what to do next
Unused vacation (PTO) at separation
Do you have to pay out unused vacation when someone leaves?Not verified yetCheck the official source
We have not verified this rule for Missouri yet. Check the official source: labor.mo.gov.
Used in: How to fire an employee in your state · An employee resigned: what to do next
Paid sick leave
Do you have to give paid sick leave?No statewide lawVerified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources
Missouri no longer has a statewide paid sick leave mandate: the legislature repealed the state law establishing paid sick time for private employees. (Missouri Senate, HB 567 (2025) bill summary (HCS#2/HBs 567, 546, 758 & 958))
“Furthermore, the act also repeals provisions of law establishing paid sick time for certain private employees.”
“The bill repeals provisions relating to paid sick leave requirements, including, but not limited to, under what conditions paid sick leave must be provided by employers, prohibited actions for employers and violations thereof, recordkeeping requirements, complaint and investigative procedures, a right to a cause of action for retaliation, and confidentiality of information.”
At-will employment
Yes. Missouri follows at-will employment, with these exceptions (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 285.575.3 (Whistleblower's Protection Act, L. 2017 S.B. 43)):
- Public policy: Recognized (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 285.575.3 (Whistleblower's Protection Act, L. 2017 S.B. 43))
- Implied contract: not verified yet (check the official source)
- Good faith and fair dealing: not verified yet (check the official source)
Public policy exception: recognized?RecognizedVerified Sep 24, 2026 · 2 official sources
Missouri recognizes a public-policy exception to at-will employment (Fleshner v. Pepose Vision Institute): an at-will employee may not be fired for refusing to violate the law or a clear mandate of public policy, or for reporting wrongdoing. The Whistleblower's Protection Act codifies the existing common-law exceptions, limits their future expansion by the courts and is the exclusive remedy. (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 285.575.3 (Whistleblower's Protection Act, L. 2017 S.B. 43))
“This section is intended to codify the existing common law exceptions to the at-will employment doctrine and to limit their future expansion by the courts.”
“Certain exceptions exist, however, including a public-policy exception, which prohibits termination of an at-will employee for either:”
Implied contract exception: recognized?Not verified yetCheck the official source
We have not verified this rule for Missouri yet. Check the official source: documents.house.mo.gov.
Good faith and fair dealing exception: recognized?Not verified yetCheck the official source
We have not verified this rule for Missouri yet. Check the official source: documents.house.mo.gov.
Used in: How to write up an employee (the right way, in your state) · How to put an employee on a performance improvement plan · Employee no call, no show: what to do · Insubordination: what counts, and how to handle it
Service letter (reason for termination)
Do you have to give a written reason for the termination on request?Not verified yetCheck the official source
We have not verified this rule for Missouri yet. Check the official source: revisor.mo.gov.
Used in: How to write up an employee (the right way, in your state) · How to fire an employee in your state
Separation notice
Do you have to give a separation notice when someone leaves?Not verified yetCheck the official source
We have not verified this rule for Missouri yet. Check the official source: revisor.mo.gov.
Used in: How to fire an employee in your state
Final pay after firing, neighbors
| State | Final pay after firing |
|---|---|
| Missouri | Not verified |
| Iowa | Next regular payday |
| Illinois | Next regular payday |
| Kentucky | Next payday or 14 days, whichever is later |
| Tennessee | Not verified |
| Arkansas | Not verified |
| Oklahoma | Next regular payday |
| Kansas | Next regular payday |
| Nebraska | Not verified |
Only verified rules are shown. "Not verified" means we have not checked that state's rule yet; open its rulebook for the official source.
What an employee costs in Missouri
Beyond the salary, an employer pays these payroll taxes on each employee. Rates for 2026, from official sources:
- Social Security: 6.2% of wages, up to $184,500 per employee in 2026 (Publication 15).
- Medicare: 1.45% of all wages, with no wage base limit (Topic 751).
- Federal unemployment (FUTA): 6.0% of the first $7,000 of each employee's wages, with a credit of up to 5.4% for state unemployment taxes paid, so usually 0.6% (Topic 759).
- FUTA credit reduction: Missouri is not on the DOL list for 2025 (final) or 2026 (potential), so the full 5.4% credit is available if state unemployment taxes are paid in full and on time (U.S. DOL, FUTA credit reductions; Topic 759).
- Missouri unemployment insurance: taxes apply to the first $9,000 of each employee's wages. Rates for experience-rated employers run from 0.00% to 6.00%; the new-employer base rate is 2.376%. Source: U.S. DOL, Significant Provisions of State UI Laws, effective July 2026, page 3. The DOL notes that higher rates may apply by industry and that the table "is not an official interpretation of state UI laws". Find the Missouri unemployment agency.
A worked example: $40,000 salary
Estimate, before benefits and workers' comp; check with your payroll provider. It assumes a new employer, a full year of wages and the full FUTA credit.
| Tax on a $40,000 salary | Per year |
|---|---|
| Social Security, 6.2% (Topic 751) | $2,480 |
| Medicare, 1.45% (Topic 751) | $580 |
| Federal unemployment (FUTA), 0.6% of the first $7,000 (Topic 759) | $42 |
| Missouri unemployment insurance, new-employer rate 2.376% of the first $9,000 (DOL, July 2026) | $214 |
| Estimated total employer taxes | $3,316 |
Estimate: $3,316 is about 8.3% on top of the salary. It leaves out health insurance, retirement contributions, workers' compensation, state disability or paid leave programs and any local taxes.
Federal wage enforcement in Missouri
In FY2021 to FY2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division concluded 1,134 cases in Missouri (n = 1,134), finding $11,606,526 in back wages owed to 12,251 employees (DOL enforcement data). Enforcement data is not a violation rate: it shows where federal investigators looked, and many states handle wage claims through their own agencies. Wage violations by industry.
Changes coming in 2027
We have not found an announced 2027 change for Missouri employers in official sources yet. All 2027 changes by state.
Changelog
- Sep 24, 2026: first verified, 4 rules.
Questions about Missouri employer rules
What is the minimum wage in Missouri?
Missouri's state minimum wage is $15.00 per hour. (Missouri minimum wage law (DOL WHD state minimum wage table, updated July 1, 2026))
Is Missouri an at-will state?
Yes. Missouri follows at-will employment, with exceptions. Of the 3 common exceptions, we have verified 1, and 1 is recognized in Missouri (Mo. Rev. Stat. § 285.575.3 (Whistleblower's Protection Act, L. 2017 S.B. 43)).
Sources (14)
- Missouri minimum wage law (DOL WHD state minimum wage table, updated July 1, 2026)
- RSMo §290.502.3
- Missouri payday law (DOL WHD State Payday Requirements table)
- RSMo §290.080
- Missouri Senate, HB 567 (2025) bill summary (HCS#2/HBs 567, 546, 758 & 958)
- Missouri House, bill summary HCS#2 HBs 567, 546, 758 & 958 (truly agreed)
- Mo. Rev. Stat. § 285.575.3 (Whistleblower's Protection Act, L. 2017 S.B. 43)
- Fleshner v. Pepose Vision Institute, P.C., 304 S.W.3d 81 (Mo. 2010) (en banc), as stated in E.D. Mo. No. 4:17-cv-02876
- IRS Publication 15 (2026), Circular E, Employer's Tax Guide
- IRS Topic no. 751, Social Security and Medicare withholding rates
- IRS Topic no. 759, Form 940, Employer's Annual Federal Unemployment (FUTA) Tax Return
- U.S. DOL, Employment and Training Administration: FUTA credit reductions
- U.S. DOL, Office of Unemployment Insurance: Significant Provisions of State Unemployment Insurance Laws, effective July 2026
- U.S. Department of Labor: State labor offices
Checked Sep 24, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error