Overtime Pay in Mississippi
State-specific overview · Employment Law
Mississippi has no state-specific overtime law and follows federal Fair Labor Standards Act requirements.
How Mississippi treats Overtime Pay
Mississippi does not establish its own overtime rules, so employers must comply with federal law requiring overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours exceeding 40 per week. The state defers entirely to federal standards and exemptions for executive, administrative, and professional employees. Employers in Mississippi are subject only to the federal minimum standards unless they voluntarily provide more generous overtime policies. This means Mississippi employers must follow federal guidelines but may not be required to exceed them under state law.
The general definition of Overtime Pay
Compensation at an increased rate for hours worked beyond the standard workweek, typically 1.5 times the regular wage.
Overtime pay is extra compensation that employers must provide when employees work more than a certain number of hours per week, usually 40 hours. Under federal law, overtime must be paid at one and a half times the employee's regular hourly rate (called "time and a half"). Some states require overtime for hours over 8 in a single day or for the seventh consecutive day worked. Certain employees, like managers and salaried professionals, may be exempt from overtime requirements. Employers who fail to pay overtime owe back wages plus penalties.
Read the full Overtime Pay entry →This page is a plain-English reference and is not legal advice. State laws change frequently. For specific situations consult a licensed attorney in Mississippi.