Labor Rights in Louisiana
Louisiana has no state minimum wage law, no paid sick leave, no paid family leave, and no meal or rest break requirements: federal FLSA rules are the entire floor. It is a right-to-work state with one of the strictest at-will doctrines in the country, recognizing none of the three major exceptions. Final wages are due by the earlier of the next payday or 15 days after separation.
Data last verified 2026-10-12
Workplace rights in Louisiana at a glance
| Minimum wage (2026) | $7.25 (Louisiana has no state minimum wage law; the federal rate applies) |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage (2026) | $2.13 federal tipped cash wage (federal $5.12 tip credit) |
| Overtime | Federal FLSA baseline: 1.5x the regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek. |
| Paid sick leave | No statewide mandate. |
| Paid family and medical leave | No state program. |
| Meal breaks | No state requirement beyond federal. |
| Rest breaks | No state requirement beyond federal. |
| Right-to-work law | Yes |
| At-will employment | None of the three; Louisiana follows a strict at-will rule and does not recognize implied-contract or public-policy exceptions to at-will employment |
| Final paycheck | Due by the earlier of the next scheduled payday or 15 days after separation, for both firings and quits. |
How Louisiana compares to federal law
Louisiana uses the federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, with no higher state rate. 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
- Arkansas$11.00 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.
- Mississippi$7.25 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.
- Texas$7.25 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.
Compare all 50 states and DC side by side
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 Louisiana?
$7.25 per hour. Louisiana has no state minimum wage law, so the federal rate applies.
Can my employer fire me for any reason?
Generally yes. Louisiana recognizes none of the three major exceptions to at-will employment, though federal anti-discrimination and other statutory protections still apply.
Is there paid sick leave in Louisiana?
No statewide mandate.
When must I get my final paycheck?
By the earlier of your next scheduled payday or 15 days after your last day.
What does the FLSA require in Louisiana?
Louisiana has no state minimum wage law, so the federal FLSA floor applies: $7.25 per hour, a $2.13 tipped cash wage, and overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. Louisiana also has no state paid sick leave, paid family leave, or meal or rest break requirements, so the federal FLSA rules are the entire floor.