Labor Rights in Wyoming
Wyoming has some of the leanest worker protections in the country. The effective minimum wage is the federal $7.25 floor (the state statute is $5.15 on paper), tipped workers can be paid $2.13 per hour, and there are no statewide mandates for paid sick leave, paid family leave, or meal and rest breaks. It is a right-to-work state, though at-will firing is limited by implied-contract, public-policy, and good-faith exceptions.
Data last verified 2026-10-12
Workplace rights in Wyoming at a glance
| Minimum wage (2026) | $7.25, the federal FLSA rate, which applies to nearly all Wyoming employers. The state statute sets $5.15 per hour, but it only applies where the FLSA does not. No inflation indexing and no scheduled increase. |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage (2026) | $2.13 cash wage. Employers may take the federal tip credit (up to $5.12 per hour) as long as tips bring total pay to at least $7.25; the employer must make up any shortfall. |
| Overtime | 1.5x after 40 hours in a workweek. Wyoming has no state overtime law; federal FLSA rules apply. One exception: laborers, workmen, and mechanics on public works projects get overtime for hours over 8 in a day as well as over 40 in a week. |
| Paid sick leave | No statewide mandate. |
| Paid family and medical leave | No state program. Workers rely on federal FMLA (unpaid) and any employer plan. |
| Meal breaks | No state requirement beyond federal. |
| Rest breaks | No state requirement beyond federal. |
| Right-to-work law | Yes |
| At-will employment | Wyoming is an at-will employment state. Recognized exceptions: implied contract, public policy, and covenant of good faith and fair dealing. |
| Final paycheck | Due within 5 business days of separation, whether the employee quits or is fired (Wyoming Statute 27-4-104). |
How Wyoming compares to federal law
Wyoming 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
- Montana$10.85 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work no.
- South Dakota$11.85 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.
- Nebraska$15.00 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work yes.
- Colorado$15.16 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.
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 Wyoming's actual minimum wage?
$7.25 per hour in practice. Wyoming's statute says $5.15, but the federal Fair Labor Standards Act covers nearly all employers, so the federal $7.25 floor controls.
How much can a tipped worker be paid in Wyoming?
$2.13 per hour in direct wages, as long as tips bring total hourly pay to at least $7.25. If they do not, the employer must pay the difference.
Does Wyoming require paid sick leave or meal breaks?
No. Wyoming has no statewide paid sick leave law and no meal or rest break requirements for adults.
When must I get my final paycheck in Wyoming?
Within 5 business days after separation, whether you quit or were fired.