Louisiana Employment Law: Wages, Final Pay, Breaks and Your Rights at Work
Louisiana employment law: minimum wage, overtime, breaks, final paycheck deadlines, PTO payout, sick leave, at-will exceptions and where to file a wage claim.
Quick answers for Louisiana
- Minimum wage
- Louisiana has no state minimum wage law. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. Parishes and cities are not allowed to set their own minimum wage. U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage table; La. R.S. 23:642
- Final paycheck if fired or laid off
- Wages due must be paid by the next regular payday or within 15 days of the discharge, whichever comes first. Payment may be mailed. If the amount is disputed, the undisputed part must be paid on time. La. R.S. 23:631(A)(1)(a)
- Unused vacation / PTO payout
- Yes, if under the employer's vacation policy the employee was eligible for and had accrued paid vacation that was not taken or paid out. Earned vacation pay cannot be forfeited. La. R.S. 23:631(D)
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Pay
| Minimum wage | Louisiana has no state minimum wage law. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. Parishes and cities are not allowed to set their own minimum wage. Local minimum wages are prohibited by La. R.S. 23:642: https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=83958 |
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| Overtime | No state overtime law; overtime follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (time and one-half after 40 hours in a workweek for non-exempt employees). |
| How often you must be paid | Employers must tell employees at hire how much, how and how often they will be paid. Employers that do not set paydays must pay on the 1st and 16th of the month. Manufacturing, oil-drilling and mining employers with 10 or more employees, and public service corporations, must pay at least twice a month, about two weeks apart. Source: La. R.S. 23:633 |
Leaving a job
| Final paycheck if fired or laid off | Wages due must be paid by the next regular payday or within 15 days of the discharge, whichever comes first. Payment may be mailed. If the amount is disputed, the undisputed part must be paid on time. Source: La. R.S. 23:631(A)(1)(a) |
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| Final paycheck if you quit | Wages due must be paid by the next regular payday for the pay cycle the employee was working in, or within 15 days of the resignation, whichever comes first. Source: La. R.S. 23:631(A)(1)(b) |
| Unused vacation / PTO payout | Yes, if under the employer's vacation policy the employee was eligible for and had accrued paid vacation that was not taken or paid out. Earned vacation pay cannot be forfeited. Source: La. R.S. 23:631(D) |
| Unemployment benefits | Louisiana Workforce Commission. File an unemployment claim online through the HiRE system. |
Firing, retaliation and discrimination
| Whistleblower and retaliation protection | Employers may not retaliate against an employee who, in good faith and after telling the employer about the violation, discloses or threatens to disclose a workplace practice that violates state law, testifies in an investigation, or refuses to take part in an unlawful practice. The employee may sue for damages, back pay, reinstatement and attorney fees. Source: La. R.S. 23:967 |
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| Job discrimination complaints | Louisiana Commission on Human Rights. State employment discrimination law covers employers with 20 or more employees in Louisiana. A lawsuit must be filed within one year; that period is suspended while the Commission or the EEOC reviews the claim, for up to six months. At least 30 days' written notice to the employer is required before suing. Definitions (20-employee threshold): https://legis.la.gov/Legis/Law.aspx?d=83865. Commission complaints: https://humanrights.la.gov/file-complaint/ Source: La. R.S. 23:302; La. R.S. 23:303 |
| Non-compete agreements | Non-compete agreements are void except as the statute allows. An employee may agree not to compete with the employer or solicit its customers in specific listed parishes or cities where the employer does business, for up to two years after the job ends. Source: La. R.S. 23:921 |
Where to get help in Louisiana
Employment Law FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Louisiana?
Louisiana has no state minimum wage law. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act must pay the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. Parishes and cities are not allowed to set their own minimum wage.
What are the overtime rules in Louisiana?
No state overtime law; overtime follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (time and one-half after 40 hours in a workweek for non-exempt employees).
When do I get my final paycheck if I'm fired in Louisiana?
Wages due must be paid by the next regular payday or within 15 days of the discharge, whichever comes first. Payment may be mailed. If the amount is disputed, the undisputed part must be paid on time.
When do I get my final paycheck if I quit in Louisiana?
Wages due must be paid by the next regular payday for the pay cycle the employee was working in, or within 15 days of the resignation, whichever comes first.
Does an employer have to pay out unused PTO in Louisiana?
Yes, if under the employer's vacation policy the employee was eligible for and had accrued paid vacation that was not taken or paid out. Earned vacation pay cannot be forfeited.
How often must employees be paid in Louisiana?
Employers must tell employees at hire how much, how and how often they will be paid. Employers that do not set paydays must pay on the 1st and 16th of the month. Manufacturing, oil-drilling and mining employers with 10 or more employees, and public service corporations, must pay at least twice a month, about two weeks apart.
Is it illegal to fire someone for reporting a violation in Louisiana?
Employers may not retaliate against an employee who, in good faith and after telling the employer about the violation, discloses or threatens to disclose a workplace practice that violates state law, testifies in an investigation, or refuses to take part in an unlawful practice. The employee may sue for damages, back pay, reinstatement and attorney fees.
Where do I file a job discrimination complaint in Louisiana?
Louisiana Commission on Human Rights. State employment discrimination law covers employers with 20 or more employees in Louisiana. A lawsuit must be filed within one year; that period is suspended while the Commission or the EEOC reviews the claim, for up to six months. At least 30 days' written notice to the employer is required before suing.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Louisiana?
Non-compete agreements are void except as the statute allows. An employee may agree not to compete with the employer or solicit its customers in specific listed parishes or cities where the employer does business, for up to two years after the job ends.
How do I apply for unemployment in Louisiana?
Louisiana Workforce Commission. File an unemployment claim online through the HiRE system.
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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.