Labor Rights in Texas
Texas follows the federal floor on wages ($7.25) and overtime, with no state paid sick leave, no paid family leave, and no break mandates; local paid-sick ordinances are preempted. It is a right-to-work state with a notably narrow public-policy exception to at-will employment (firing solely for refusing to commit an illegal act). Fired workers must be paid within 6 calendar days; quitters are paid on the next regular payday.
Data last verified 2026-10-12
Workplace rights in Texas at a glance
| Minimum wage (2026) | $7.25 (state law, Texas Labor Code section 62.051, matches the federal rate) |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage (2026) | $2.13 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; local paid-sick ordinances are preempted by state law. |
| 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 | Public policy only (narrow: firing solely for refusing to commit an illegal act, the Sabine Pilot exception); Texas does not recognize implied-contract or good-faith exceptions |
| Final paycheck | If fired, due within 6 calendar days; if you quit, due on the next regular payday. |
How Texas compares to federal law
Texas 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
- New Mexico$12.00 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.
- Oklahoma$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.
- Louisiana$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 Texas?
$7.25 per hour under Texas Labor Code section 62.051, matching the federal rate.
Does Texas require paid sick leave?
No statewide mandate, and state law preempts local paid-sick ordinances.
What are the exceptions to at-will employment in Texas?
Texas recognizes only a narrow public-policy exception: you cannot be fired solely for refusing to commit an illegal act (the Sabine Pilot rule).
When must I receive my final paycheck?
Within 6 calendar days if you were fired; on the next regular payday if you quit.