Employment Law by State
Federal law sets a floor — the $7.25 federal minimum wage and overtime after 40 hours under the Fair Labor Standards Act — but most worker protections come from state law. Here are the rules state by state, each linked to the statute or the state labor department.
Choose your state
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Compare the states
- Minimum Wage by State
- Final Paycheck Laws by State
- Meal and Rest Break Laws by State
- Do Employers Have to Pay Out Unused PTO? By State
Tools, guides and templates
- Common questions, answered for every state
- Overtime calculator
- Minimum wage by city
- Hostile work environment
- Workplace harassment
- Resignation letter template
- Two weeks notice letter
- Unpaid wages demand letter
Plain-English guides
- Can You Get Unemployment If You're Fired?
- Hostile Work Environment: When Harassment Becomes Illegal
- No Tax on Overtime: How the Federal Deduction Works
- What Is At-Will Employment?
- What Is the Minimum Wage? Federal vs. State
- Workplace Harassment: Your Rights Under Federal Law
Frequently asked questions
What is at-will employment?
In an at-will state, an employer can generally end employment for any reason or no reason, with or without notice — but not for an illegal reason such as discrimination or retaliation for protected activity. States recognize different exceptions.
Where do I file a claim for unpaid wages?
Usually with your state's labor department or wage-and-hour agency, or with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. Small amounts can also be pursued in small claims court.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.