Florida HR laws for employers (2026)
The Florida rules employers ask about most: minimum wage, overtime, final pay, unused vacation, paid sick leave and breaks.
Florida employment law at a glance
| Minimum wage | $15.00 per hour Verify |
|---|---|
| Tipped cash wage | $11.98 per hour Verify |
| Overtime | No daily overtime; follows the federal rule of 1.5x pay after 40 hours in a week. |
| Final pay when fired | No state final-pay law; paying by the next regular payday is common practice. Verify |
| Final pay when an employee quits | No state final-pay law; paying by the next regular payday is common practice. Verify |
| Unused vacation / PTO at separation | Not required by state law; depends on the employer's policy or contract. Verify |
| Paid sick leave | No statewide mandate. |
| Meal breaks | No state requirement for adult employees (rules apply to minors). |
| Rest breaks | No state requirement. |
Minimum wage note: Rose from $14.00 (effective September 30, 2025) to $15.00 on September 30, 2026, the final step of the 2020 constitutional amendment. Future increases return to annual inflation indexing; the date of the next change is not yet officially announced.
Verify means we could not confirm that item from an official Florida or US Department of Labor source, so check it with the state before relying on it.
Other Florida rules to know
- Public employers and private employers with 25 or more employees must use E-Verify for new hires (a 2026 bill to extend this to all employers died in the Senate).
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Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Florida in 2026?
$15.00 per hour, effective September 30, 2026. Rose from $14.00 (effective September 30, 2025) to $15.00 on September 30, 2026, the final step of the 2020 constitutional amendment. Future increases return to annual inflation indexing; the date of the next change is not yet officially announced.
When is a final paycheck due in Florida?
If the employer ends employment: No state final-pay law; paying by the next regular payday is common practice. If the employee quits: No state final-pay law; paying by the next regular payday is common practice.
Does Florida require paying out unused vacation?
Not required by state law; depends on the employer's policy or contract.
Is paid sick leave required in Florida?
No statewide mandate.
Sources
- US DOL - State Minimum Wage Laws
- US DOL - Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees
- US DOL - Meal Periods table
- US DOL - Rest Periods table
- Florida Senate - HB 197 (2026) bill analysis and status (E-Verify)
- Lowndes - Florida's minimum wage reaches $15.00 on Sept 30, 2026 (secondary)
- Fisher Phillips - Florida minimum wage schedule (secondary)
HR laws in other states
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.