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Wyoming Employment Law: Wages, Final Pay, Breaks and Your Rights at Work

Wyoming 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 Wyoming

Minimum wage
Wyoming's state minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, but most workers must be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour because they are covered by federal law. Wyoming minimum wage law; Fair Labor Standards Act
Final paycheck if fired or laid off
No later than the employer's next regularly scheduled payday (or as set by a collective bargaining agreement). The employer may offset sums the employee owes the employer from the final wages. W.S. 27-4-104(a)
Meal and rest breaks
No state requirement. Wyoming law does not require meal or rest breaks. DWS Labor Standards guidance
Unused vacation / PTO payout
Wyoming law does not require paid vacation. If vacation is offered, earned vacation must be paid at separation unless a written policy clearly says otherwise and the employee acknowledged it; W.S. 27-4-507; W.S. 27-4-501(a)(iii)

Last verified: 2026-10-26

Pay

Minimum wageWyoming's state minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, but most workers must be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour because they are covered by federal law.
No change scheduled.
Source: Wyoming minimum wage law; Fair Labor Standards Act
Tipped minimum wageFor workers covered by federal law, the cash wage can be as low as $2.13 per hour if tips (more than $30 a month) bring total pay to at least $7.25 per hour.
Source: Fair Labor Standards Act (federal tip credit rules)
OvertimeNo general state overtime law; follows the federal FLSA (time and one-half after 40 hours in a workweek for covered, non-exempt employees). On public works projects, Wyoming law requires time and one-half for hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week (an employee may agree to longer days if paid overtime after 40 hours).
Source: W.S. 16-6-110
How often you must be paidMost employers have no required pay schedule. Employers in certain industries (railroads, mines, refineries, oil and gas production, factories, mills and workshops) must pay semimonthly: wages for the first half of a month by the 1st of the next month, and for the second half by the 15th of the next month. Direct deposit cannot be required.
Source: W.S. 27-4-101

Breaks and leave

Meal and rest breaksNo state requirement. Wyoming law does not require meal or rest breaks.
Source: DWS Labor Standards guidance

Leaving a job

Final paycheck if fired or laid offNo later than the employer's next regularly scheduled payday (or as set by a collective bargaining agreement). The employer may offset sums the employee owes the employer from the final wages.
Source: W.S. 27-4-104(a)
Final paycheck if you quitNo later than the employer's next regularly scheduled payday, the same as when fired.
Source: W.S. 27-4-104(a)
Unused vacation / PTO payoutWyoming law does not require paid vacation. If vacation is offered, earned vacation must be paid at separation unless a written policy clearly says otherwise and the employee acknowledged it; employers may require notice (for example, 10 days) to qualify for payout. Sick and personal leave do not have to be paid out. 'Use it or lose it' rules are allowed if employees had a fair chance to use the time.
Source: W.S. 27-4-507; W.S. 27-4-501(a)(iii)
Unemployment benefitsWyoming Department of Workforce Services, Unemployment Insurance Division. File claims online through the Wyoming Unemployment Insurance portal (WYUI).
Source: Wyoming Department of Workforce Services

Firing, retaliation and discrimination

Whistleblower and retaliation protectionWyoming law makes it unlawful to fire, harass, discipline or discriminate against an employee for filing a wage claim, complaining or starting a proceeding under the wage payment law, or testifying or assisting in one.
Source: W.S. 27-4-104(b)
Job discrimination complaintsWyoming Fair Employment Practices office in the Department of Workforce Services, Labor Standards Division. The Wyoming Fair Employment Practices Act covers employers with two or more employees in the state (not religious organizations). A verified written complaint must be filed within six months of the violation.
Source: W.S. 27-9-102(b); W.S. 27-9-106(a)
Non-compete agreementsGenerally void. A non-compete that restricts a person's right to be paid for skilled or unskilled labor is void, except for: sale of a business; protection of trade secrets; repayment of relocation, education and training costs on a sliding scale (up to 100% if employed less than 2 years, 66% for 2-3 years, 33% for 3-4 years); and executive and management personnel and their professional staff. Non-competes restricting physicians from practicing medicine after leaving are void.
Source: W.S. 1-23-108

Where to get help in Wyoming

Employment Law FAQ

What is the minimum wage in Wyoming?
Wyoming's state minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, but most workers must be paid at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour because they are covered by federal law.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Wyoming?
For workers covered by federal law, the cash wage can be as low as $2.13 per hour if tips (more than $30 a month) bring total pay to at least $7.25 per hour.
What are the overtime rules in Wyoming?
No general state overtime law; follows the federal FLSA (time and one-half after 40 hours in a workweek for covered, non-exempt employees). On public works projects, Wyoming law requires time and one-half for hours over 8 in a day or 40 in a week (an employee may agree to longer days if paid overtime after 40 hours).
Are breaks required by law in Wyoming?
No state requirement. Wyoming law does not require meal or rest breaks.
When do I get my final paycheck if I'm fired in Wyoming?
No later than the employer's next regularly scheduled payday (or as set by a collective bargaining agreement). The employer may offset sums the employee owes the employer from the final wages.
When do I get my final paycheck if I quit in Wyoming?
No later than the employer's next regularly scheduled payday, the same as when fired.
Does an employer have to pay out unused PTO in Wyoming?
Wyoming law does not require paid vacation. If vacation is offered, earned vacation must be paid at separation unless a written policy clearly says otherwise and the employee acknowledged it; employers may require notice (for example, 10 days) to qualify for payout. Sick and personal leave do not have to be paid out. 'Use it or lose it' rules are allowed if employees had a fair chance to use the time.
How often must employees be paid in Wyoming?
Most employers have no required pay schedule. Employers in certain industries (railroads, mines, refineries, oil and gas production, factories, mills and workshops) must pay semimonthly: wages for the first half of a month by the 1st of the next month, and for the second half by the 15th of the next month. Direct deposit cannot be required.
Is it illegal to fire someone for reporting a violation in Wyoming?
Wyoming law makes it unlawful to fire, harass, discipline or discriminate against an employee for filing a wage claim, complaining or starting a proceeding under the wage payment law, or testifying or assisting in one.
Where do I file a job discrimination complaint in Wyoming?
Wyoming Fair Employment Practices office in the Department of Workforce Services, Labor Standards Division. The Wyoming Fair Employment Practices Act covers employers with two or more employees in the state (not religious organizations). A verified written complaint must be filed within six months of the violation.
Are non-compete agreements enforceable in Wyoming?
Generally void. A non-compete that restricts a person's right to be paid for skilled or unskilled labor is void, except for: sale of a business; protection of trade secrets; repayment of relocation, education and training costs on a sliding scale (up to 100% if employed less than 2 years, 66% for 2-3 years, 33% for 3-4 years); and executive and management personnel and their professional staff. Non-competes restricting physicians from practicing medicine after leaving are void.
How do I apply for unemployment in Wyoming?
Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Unemployment Insurance Division. File claims online through the Wyoming Unemployment Insurance portal (WYUI).

Employment Law in other states

More Wyoming law

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.