Tennessee HR laws for employers (2026)
The Tennessee rules employers ask about most: minimum wage, overtime, final pay, unused vacation, paid sick leave and breaks.
Tennessee employment law at a glance
| Minimum wage | $7.25 per hour (federal minimum applies) |
|---|---|
| Tipped cash wage | $2.13 per hour |
| Overtime | No state overtime law; only the federal FLSA rule of time-and-a-half over 40 hours per week applies. |
| Final pay when fired | By the next regular payday after separation or within 21 days of separation, whichever is later. |
| Final pay when an employee quits | Same as discharge: by the next regular payday or within 21 days of separation, whichever is later. |
| Unused vacation / PTO at separation | Required only if owed under the employer's policy or a labor agreement; vacation owed under policy must be included in final pay. |
| Paid sick leave | No statewide mandate for private employers. Verify |
| Meal breaks | 30-minute unpaid meal break for employees scheduled to work 6 consecutive hours; it cannot be in the first hour. Tipped food and beverage workers may waive it voluntarily. |
| Rest breaks | No state requirement. |
Minimum wage note: Tennessee has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25/hour applies. No scheduled increase.
Verify means we could not confirm that item from an official Tennessee or US Department of Labor source, so check it with the state before relying on it.
Other Tennessee rules to know
- From July 1, 2026, non-competes are void for employees earning under $70,000 a year, and a restriction of 2 years or less is presumed reasonable (HB 1034).
Free Tennessee HR forms
Have a Tennessee HR question?
Ask the AskHrAI assistant and get an answer grounded in state and federal rules.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Tennessee in 2026?
$7.25 per hour (federal minimum applies), effective July 24, 2009. Tennessee has no state minimum wage law, so the federal minimum of $7.25/hour applies. No scheduled increase.
When is a final paycheck due in Tennessee?
If the employer ends employment: By the next regular payday after separation or within 21 days of separation, whichever is later. If the employee quits: Same as discharge: by the next regular payday or within 21 days of separation, whichever is later.
Does Tennessee require paying out unused vacation?
Required only if owed under the employer's policy or a labor agreement; vacation owed under policy must be included in final pay.
Is paid sick leave required in Tennessee?
No statewide mandate for private employers.
Sources
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.