Minnesota Employment Law: Wages, Final Pay, Breaks and Your Rights at Work
Minnesota 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 Minnesota
- Minimum wage
- $11.41 per hour for all employers since January 1, 2026 ($9.31 training wage for workers under 20 during their first 90 days). Minneapolis and St. Paul have higher city minimum wages. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Minimum wage in Minnesota
- Final paycheck if fired or laid off
- Wages are due within 24 hours of the employee's demand for payment. If the employee handled the employer's money or property, the employer gets 10 extra calendar days to audit before paying. Minn. Stat. 181.13; Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Employment termination
- Meal and rest breaks
- Since January 1, 2026: a rest break of at least 15 minutes (or enough time to reach the nearest restroom, if longer) within each 4 consecutive hours worked, and a meal break of at least 30 minutes for shifts of 6 or more consecutive hours. Minn. Stat. 177.253 and 177.254; Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Work breaks
- Unused vacation / PTO payout
- Depends on company policy. Benefits such as vacation, sick leave and severance are due as the policy provides, and must be paid within 30 days of when they become due. Minn. Stat. 181.74; Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Employment termination
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Pay
| Minimum wage | $11.41 per hour for all employers since January 1, 2026 ($9.31 training wage for workers under 20 during their first 90 days). Minneapolis and St. Paul have higher city minimum wages. Scheduled increase: $11.87 per hour on January 1, 2027 (training wage $9.68). |
|---|---|
| Tipped minimum wage | No tip credit is allowed. Tipped employees must be paid the full minimum wage plus their tips. Employers may not require tip sharing or tip pools, except that tips may be divided among direct-service employees serving the same customers or the same shift. Card tips must be paid in full by the next pay period. |
| Overtime | Minnesota law requires overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate after 48 hours in a workweek. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act must pay overtime after 40 hours. |
| How often you must be paid | At least once every 31 days on a regular payday set in advance; commissions at least every 3 months. This section was amended in 2025 and again by a later session law; check the session law for any newer effective dates. Source: Minn. Stat. 181.101 |
| Pay stubs | An earnings statement each pay period (paper, or electronic with computer access) showing the employee's name, pay rate and basis, hours worked (for non-exempt employees), gross pay, each deduction, paid leave premium deductions, net pay, pay period end date, and the employer's legal name, address and phone number. Employees can ask for paper statements with 24 hours' notice. A written notice of pay terms is required at hire. Source: Minn. Stat. 181.032 |
Breaks and leave
| Meal and rest breaks | Since January 1, 2026: a rest break of at least 15 minutes (or enough time to reach the nearest restroom, if longer) within each 4 consecutive hours worked, and a meal break of at least 30 minutes for shifts of 6 or more consecutive hours. Breaks under 20 minutes must be paid; meal breaks can be unpaid only if the employee is fully relieved of duty. |
|---|---|
| Paid sick leave | Earned sick and safe time: employees earn at least 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours a year, and may use it as it accrues. Unused time carries over, up to a total balance of 80 hours, unless the employer front-loads the leave each year under the statute's rules. Source: Minn. Stat. 181.9446 |
Leaving a job
| Final paycheck if fired or laid off | Wages are due within 24 hours of the employee's demand for payment. If the employee handled the employer's money or property, the employer gets 10 extra calendar days to audit before paying. |
|---|---|
| Final paycheck if you quit | Wages are due on the first regular payday that is more than 5 days after the employee quits, and no later than 20 days after separation. |
| Unused vacation / PTO payout | Depends on company policy. Benefits such as vacation, sick leave and severance are due as the policy provides, and must be paid within 30 days of when they become due. |
| Unemployment benefits | Unemployment Insurance Minnesota. Apply online through your account at uimn.org. |
Firing, retaliation and discrimination
| At-will employment and exceptions | Minnesota is an at-will state: an employee may quit for any reason and an employer may fire an employee for any reason that is not illegal, such as discrimination. On written request within 15 working days of termination, the employer must give the truthful reason in writing within 10 working days. |
|---|---|
| Whistleblower and retaliation protection | Employers may not fire, discipline or retaliate against an employee who in good faith reports a violation or suspected violation of law to the employer or a government body, takes part in a public investigation, refuses an order the employee reasonably believes is illegal (and says why), or reports health care quality violations. Source: Minn. Stat. 181.932 |
| Job discrimination complaints | Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The Minnesota Human Rights Act covers employers with 1 or more employees. A charge must be filed with the Department, or a lawsuit brought, within one year of the discriminatory act. Employer definition: https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/363A.03 |
| Non-compete agreements | Non-compete agreements are void and unenforceable in Minnesota (for agreements covered by the 2023 law), except those made in the sale or dissolution of a business. Non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreements are not covered by the ban. Source: Minn. Stat. 181.988 |
Where to get help in Minnesota
Employment Law FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Minnesota?
$11.41 per hour for all employers since January 1, 2026 ($9.31 training wage for workers under 20 during their first 90 days). Minneapolis and St. Paul have higher city minimum wages.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Minnesota?
No tip credit is allowed. Tipped employees must be paid the full minimum wage plus their tips. Employers may not require tip sharing or tip pools, except that tips may be divided among direct-service employees serving the same customers or the same shift. Card tips must be paid in full by the next pay period.
What are the overtime rules in Minnesota?
Minnesota law requires overtime at 1.5 times the regular rate after 48 hours in a workweek. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act must pay overtime after 40 hours.
Are breaks required by law in Minnesota?
Since January 1, 2026: a rest break of at least 15 minutes (or enough time to reach the nearest restroom, if longer) within each 4 consecutive hours worked, and a meal break of at least 30 minutes for shifts of 6 or more consecutive hours. Breaks under 20 minutes must be paid; meal breaks can be unpaid only if the employee is fully relieved of duty.
When do I get my final paycheck if I'm fired in Minnesota?
Wages are due within 24 hours of the employee's demand for payment. If the employee handled the employer's money or property, the employer gets 10 extra calendar days to audit before paying.
When do I get my final paycheck if I quit in Minnesota?
Wages are due on the first regular payday that is more than 5 days after the employee quits, and no later than 20 days after separation.
Does an employer have to pay out unused PTO in Minnesota?
Depends on company policy. Benefits such as vacation, sick leave and severance are due as the policy provides, and must be paid within 30 days of when they become due.
How often must employees be paid in Minnesota?
At least once every 31 days on a regular payday set in advance; commissions at least every 3 months.
Do employers have to give pay stubs in Minnesota?
An earnings statement each pay period (paper, or electronic with computer access) showing the employee's name, pay rate and basis, hours worked (for non-exempt employees), gross pay, each deduction, paid leave premium deductions, net pay, pay period end date, and the employer's legal name, address and phone number. Employees can ask for paper statements with 24 hours' notice. A written notice of pay terms is required at hire.
Is paid sick leave required in Minnesota?
Earned sick and safe time: employees earn at least 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, up to 48 hours a year, and may use it as it accrues. Unused time carries over, up to a total balance of 80 hours, unless the employer front-loads the leave each year under the statute's rules.
Is Minnesota an at-will employment state?
Minnesota is an at-will state: an employee may quit for any reason and an employer may fire an employee for any reason that is not illegal, such as discrimination. On written request within 15 working days of termination, the employer must give the truthful reason in writing within 10 working days.
Is it illegal to fire someone for reporting a violation in Minnesota?
Employers may not fire, discipline or retaliate against an employee who in good faith reports a violation or suspected violation of law to the employer or a government body, takes part in a public investigation, refuses an order the employee reasonably believes is illegal (and says why), or reports health care quality violations.
Where do I file a job discrimination complaint in Minnesota?
Minnesota Department of Human Rights. The Minnesota Human Rights Act covers employers with 1 or more employees. A charge must be filed with the Department, or a lawsuit brought, within one year of the discriminatory act.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Minnesota?
Non-compete agreements are void and unenforceable in Minnesota (for agreements covered by the 2023 law), except those made in the sale or dissolution of a business. Non-disclosure and non-solicitation agreements are not covered by the ban.
How do I apply for unemployment in Minnesota?
Unemployment Insurance Minnesota. Apply online through your account at uimn.org.
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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.