Mississippi Overtime Laws
Mississippi follows federal FLSA overtime rules.
Weekly OT Threshold
40 hrs
Daily OT Threshold
None
Double Time
No
Minimum Wage
$7.25
Federal rate
Overtime Rules
| Weekly Overtime | Hours over 40 in a workweek paid at 1.5x |
| Daily Overtime | Not required by state law |
| Double Time | Not required by state law |
| 7th Consecutive Day | No special rule |
Exemptions
The following categories of employees may be exempt from overtime requirements:
Standard FLSA exemptions apply
Important Notes
Mississippi has no state minimum wage or overtime law.
State Labor Department
Mississippi Economy and Workforce
Mississippi ranked second in the nation for real GDP growth in 2024, with a 4.2% increase bringing its GDP to $122.4 billion. The state's economy is driven by agriculture, manufacturing, automotive parts production, and a growing data center industry with major investments from companies like Amazon Web Services.
Industries with Common Overtime
These Mississippi industries frequently involve overtime work situations:
Manufacturing
Mississippi's manufacturing sector, including automotive parts, furniture, and lumber products, often requires overtime work to meet production schedules and respond to supply chain demands.
Agriculture and Forestry
Farm workers and forestry employees frequently work long hours during planting, harvesting, and processing seasons, though agricultural workers may have different overtime exemptions.
Healthcare
Nurses, medical technicians, and healthcare support staff regularly work overtime to provide continuous patient care in hospitals and care facilities across the state.
Transportation and Logistics
Warehouse workers, truck drivers, and logistics personnel often work extended hours during peak shipping periods and to support reshoring manufacturing operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Mississippi does not have state-specific overtime laws. All overtime protections in Mississippi come from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which requires employers to pay 1.5 times your regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
Since Mississippi follows federal law and has no state minimum wage higher than the federal rate, the minimum overtime rate is $10.88 per hour (1.5 times the $7.25 federal minimum wage). However, most workers earn above minimum wage, so your overtime rate is 1.5 times your actual regular hourly rate.
Since Mississippi has no state labor department handling wage claims, you must file your complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. You have 2 years to file a claim, or 3 years if the violation was willful.
How to File a Wage Claim in Mississippi
If you believe you are owed overtime pay, follow these steps:
Document all unpaid overtime hours, gather pay stubs, and collect any evidence of hours worked
Contact the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division to file a complaint
You can file online at dol.gov, call 1-866-487-9243, or visit your nearest WHD office
Alternatively, consult with an employment attorney about filing a private lawsuit to recover unpaid wages plus liquidated damages
Important Mississippi Consideration
Mississippi is one of the few states without a state minimum wage law or state overtime protections, relying entirely on federal FLSA standards. This means workers in Mississippi have fewer local resources for filing wage claims and must work through the federal Department of Labor for enforcement. The 2-year statute of limitations (3 years for willful violations) is shorter than many states that have their own wage laws.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Overtime laws can change and may have exceptions not listed here. For specific situations, consult with your employer's HR department, the state labor department, or an employment attorney.