Minnesota Wage and Hour Laws

By FindLaw Staff | Legally reviewed by Chris Meyers, Esq. | Last reviewed January 24, 2023

We in the Land of 10,000 Lakes have always prided ourselves on giving 100 percent to our jobs. All we ask in return is a fair wage from Minnesota employers. Of course, we want to know that there are laws in place to ensure we get just compensation for the time we've put into our work. This is a brief introduction to wage and hour laws in Minnesota.

Minimum Wage and Overtime in Minnesota

The Minnesota minimum wage for employees of large companies (including hourly agricultural workers) and employees of small companies differ. Both rates will see incremental increases each year, as listed in the chart below.

Certain employees, such as executives, baby sitters, and volunteers, are exempt from the state's minimum wage laws. While some states have reduced minimum wages for employees who receive gratuities (tips), Minnesota state law requires a base minimum wage rate for all employees. Overtime is calculated at 1.5 times the regular rate of pay once an employee works over 48 hours in one week.

Pay Day Requirements in Minnesota

Minnesota law and federal law require private employers to pay their employee's wages at least once a month via cash, check, direct deposit, a debit card, or deposit to a card account. Other types of payment require prior employee consent and must abide certain statutory requirements.

Wage and Hour Statutes in Minnesota

A combination of the Minnesota Fair Labor Standards Act and federal labor laws cover both pay date requirements and minimum wage and overtime rates. Minnesota statutes and hour laws are highlighted in the following table.

Code Sections	Minimum Wage: MN Statutes §177.24 Overtime Law: MN Statutes §177.25 Pay Day Frequency Requirements and Methods: MN Statutes §181 et seq.
Pay Day Requirements	At least once every 31 days per pay period
Method of Payment	Legal tender of the United States; Check on banks convertible into cash on demand at full face value; Except for instances of written objection to the employer by the employee, direct deposit to the employee's choice of demand deposit account; or An electronic fund transfer to a payroll card account that meets all of the requirements of MN Statute 177.255, subject to allowances permitted by rules of the department under MN Statute 177.28.
Minimum Wage	Large employers (over $500,000 annual gross volume of sales): $10.59 per hour Small employers (under $500,000 annual gross volume of sales): $8.39 per hour Training wages (employees under 20 years old in first 90 days of employment): $8.63 per hour
Overtime Pay	One-half times (1.5) the usual hourly rate after 48 hours of work in a workweek. Minnesota does not have a consecutive hours in a day overtime law. There are exemptions from paid overtime for certain jobs.
Employers Who Must Follow State Minimum Wage Laws	Any individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, or any person or group of persons acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer in relation to an employee.
Workers Not Covered Under State Minimum Wage Law	Bona fide executive, administrative or professional workers; Outside salespersons; Babysitters; Volunteers of nonprofit organizations; and Employees subject to the provisions of the U.S. Department of Transportation (drivers, drivers' helpers, mechanics and loaders).
Enforcement	Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry (651) 284-5070