Labor Rights in Mississippi
Mississippi is one of five states with no minimum wage law at all, so the federal $7.25 per hour applies statewide, with local governments barred from setting higher rates. It has no state overtime law, no paid sick leave mandate, no state paid family leave program, no meal or rest break requirements, and no final-paycheck deadline statute; federal FLSA rules govern instead. Mississippi is both a right-to-work state and an at-will employment state, with only a narrow public-policy exception and a limited implied-contract exception to at-will termination.
Data last verified 2026-10-12
Workplace rights in Mississippi at a glance
| Minimum wage (2026) | $7.25 per hour. Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, so the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rate of $7.25 per hour applies to covered employers. A 2013 state preemption law bars Mississippi cities and counties from setting a higher local rate. |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage (2026) | $2.13 per hour cash wage. Under the federal tip credit that applies by default in Mississippi, tips plus the cash wage must total at least $7.25 per hour, and the employer must make up any shortfall. |
| Overtime | Mississippi has no state overtime law. Covered employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek, per the federal FLSA. |
| Paid sick leave | No statewide mandate. Mississippi has no state law requiring private employers to provide paid sick leave. |
| Paid family and medical leave | No state program. Mississippi has no state paid family and medical leave program for private-sector workers. (The 2025 Mississippi State Employees Paid Parental Leave Act provides 6 weeks of paid parental leave to eligible state agency employees only, not private-sector workers.) |
| Meal breaks | No state requirement beyond federal. Mississippi has no meal-break law; federal law does not require meal breaks either. |
| Rest breaks | No state requirement beyond federal. Mississippi has no rest-break law; federal law does not require rest breaks either. |
| Right-to-work law | Yes. Mississippi is a right-to-work state: the state constitution (Art. VII, Sec. 198A) and Mississippi Code Sec. 71-1-47 prohibit requiring union membership or dues as a condition of employment. |
| At-will employment | Mississippi is an at-will employment state. Recognized exceptions: public-policy exception (narrow; the McArn rule protects employees fired for refusing to participate in or reporting illegal activities that carry criminal penalties) and implied-contract exception (limited; enforceable handbook or contract promises can limit at-will termination). Mississippi courts do NOT recognize a general covenant of good faith and fair dealing exception in at-will employment. Confirm with your state labor department. |
| Final paycheck | No state statute. Mississippi has no final-paycheck deadline law; final wages are typically issued on the next regular payday, and federal law sets no specific deadline. |
How Mississippi compares to federal law
Mississippi 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
- Tennessee$7.25 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.
- Alabama$7.25 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.
- Louisiana$7.25 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.
- Arkansas$11.00 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 Mississippi in 2026?
The minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Mississippi has no state minimum wage law, so the federal rate applies statewide, and a state preemption law prevents cities and counties from setting a higher local rate.
Does Mississippi require paid sick leave or paid family leave?
No. Mississippi has no statewide paid sick leave mandate and no paid family and medical leave program for private-sector workers. Eligible federal employees may use federal FMLA unpaid leave, and state agency employees have a separate 6-week paid parental leave benefit under a 2025 state law.
Is Mississippi a right-to-work state?
Yes. Both the Mississippi Constitution (Art. VII, Sec. 198A) and state statute (Miss. Code Sec. 71-1-47) prohibit employers and unions from requiring union membership or dues payments as a condition of employment.
Can my employer fire me for any reason in Mississippi?
Mississippi is an at-will employment state, so either side can end the job at any time for any reason or no reason. Exceptions include firings based on discrimination or retaliation, firings for refusing to take part in illegal activity, and cases where a written contract or binding handbook promises limit termination.