Employer guide · Reviewed October 2026
HR laws by state
Minimum wage, final paycheck deadlines, PTO payout, paid sick leave and break rules for all 50 states and Washington DC — each with links to the official sources.
| State | Minimum wage (2026) | Paid sick leave required | Unused vacation paid out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Alaska | $14.00 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| Arizona | $15.15 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| Arkansas | $11.00 | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| California | $16.90 | Yes | Required |
| Colorado | $15.16 | Yes | Required |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| Delaware | $15.00 | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| District of Columbia | $18.40 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| Florida | $15.00 | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Georgia | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Idaho | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Illinois | $15.00 | Yes | Required |
| Indiana | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Usually required |
| Iowa | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Kansas | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Kentucky | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Usually required |
| Louisiana | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Required |
| Maine | $15.10 | Yes | Required |
| Maryland | $15.00 | Yes | Usually required |
| Massachusetts | $15.00 | Yes | Required |
| Michigan | $13.73 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| Minnesota | $11.41 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| Mississippi | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Missouri | $15.00 | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Montana | $10.85 | No statewide law | Required |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | Yes | Required |
| Nevada | $12.00 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| New Jersey | $15.92 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| New York | $16.00 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| North Carolina | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Usually required |
| North Dakota | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Required |
| Ohio | $11.00 | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Oregon | $15.55 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| Pennsylvania | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | Yes | Required |
| South Carolina | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Tennessee | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Texas | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Utah | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Vermont | $14.42 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| Virginia | $12.77 | Limited (expands 2027) | Depends on policy |
| Washington | $17.13 | Yes | Depends on policy |
| West Virginia | $8.75 | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Wisconsin | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Depends on policy |
| Wyoming | $7.25 (federal) | No statewide law | Usually required |
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This page is general information for employers, not legal advice. Employment laws change and can vary by city and county. Confirm details with the state labor department or an employment attorney. Read our disclaimer.