# Labor Rights in Arkansas

[Labor rights by state](/labor-rights/)

Arkansas pairs a modest state minimum wage of $11.00 (for employers with 4 or more workers) with otherwise federal-minimum protections: no state paid sick leave, no paid family leave, and no meal or rest break mandates. Workers can claim overtime after 40 hours under state law. It is a right-to-work state recognizing implied-contract and public-policy limits on at-will firing.

Data last verified 2026-10-12

## Workplace rights in Arkansas at a glance

  Minimum wage (2026)$11.00 (applies to employers with 4 or more employees)Tipped minimum wage (2026)$2.63 cash wage; employers may claim a tip credit of up to $8.37 per hourOvertimeState law requires 1.5x the regular rate after 40 hours per week for employers with 4 or more employees; the federal FLSA baseline covers the rest.Paid sick leaveNo statewide mandate.Paid family and medical leaveNo state program.Meal breaksNo state requirement beyond federal.Rest breaksNo state requirement beyond federal.Right-to-work lawYesAt-will employmentImplied contract and public policyFinal paycheckDue on the next scheduled payday. If fired, the employee may demand wages in writing and the employer must pay within 7 working days; late payment can trigger a penalty of twice the wages owed.

## How Arkansas compares to federal law

Arkansas sets a minimum wage above the federal floor of $7.25 an hour, so the state rate is what most employers must pay. Overtime follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act: time-and-a-half after 40 hours in a workweek. There is no state paid sick leave or paid family leave mandate, so the federal Family and Medical Leave Act (unpaid leave for eligible workers) is the only baseline.

## Neighboring states

- [**Missouri**$15.00 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work no.](/labor-rights/missouri/)
- [**Tennessee**$7.25 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.](/labor-rights/tennessee/)
- [**Mississippi**$7.25 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.](/labor-rights/mississippi/)
- [**Louisiana**$7.25 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.](/labor-rights/louisiana/)

[Compare all 50 states and DC side by side](/labor-rights/)

Workplace laws change. This summary reflects state law as verified on 2026-10-12; confirm details with your state labor department before acting on it.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the minimum wage in Arkansas in 2026?

$11.00 per hour for employers with 4 or more employees.

### What is the tipped wage in Arkansas?

Employers may pay a $2.63 per hour cash wage if tips bring you to at least $11.00 per hour, with a maximum tip credit of $8.37.

### Is there paid sick leave in Arkansas?

No statewide mandate.

### When do I get my last paycheck?

On the next scheduled payday. If you were fired, you can demand your wages in writing and must be paid within 7 working days; late payment can trigger double-wage penalties.

### What does the FLSA require in Arkansas?

Arkansas requires 1.5x the regular rate after 40 hours per week for employers with 4 or more employees. Most other workers fall under the federal FLSA, which sets the 40-hour overtime threshold, the minimum wage floor, and child-labor rules.