Missouri Overtime Laws 2026
In Missouri, overtime pay is regulated under Missouri Revised Statutes Section 290.505, which closely tracks federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) guidelines. Missouri does not enforce daily overtime rules, relying strictly on a 40-hour weekly threshold.
Key Wage and Hour Rules:
- Weekly Overtime Limit: Non-exempt employees are entitled to receive 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a single 7-day workweek.
- Statutory Minimum Wage: Effective January 1, 2026, Missouri's standard minimum wage has risen to **$15.00 per hour** under state mandates. Overtime pay for minimum wage earners starts at no less than **$22.50 per hour**.
- Tipped Minimum Cash Wage: Tipped employees in Missouri must receive a cash wage of at least $7.50 per hour, with tips required to make up the rest of the $15.00/hr floor.
Missouri Seasonal Amusement & Recreational Exemptions
A notable exception in Missouri labor law (and federal FLSA Section 13(a)(3)) is the **seasonal amusement and recreational exemption**. This exemption applies directly to workers employed at summer camps, water parks, theme parks (such as Silver Dollar City or Six Flags St. Louis), and golf courses.
If an establishment meets specific statutory criteria—specifically, operating for **not more than seven months** in any calendar year, or having average receipts for any six months of the preceding year that are not more than 33.3% of its average receipts for the other six months—it is **completely exempt from standard overtime requirements**.
| Employer/Facility Type | State & Federal Overtime Rules | Wage Impact on Worker |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Missouri Employers | Requires 1.5x pay for hours worked over 40 | Protected: Entitled to full time-and-a-half overtime. |
| Seasonal Theme Parks (operating <7 months/yr) | 100% Exempt from overtime premiums | Straight-Time: Overtime hours are paid at regular straight-time (1.0x). |
| State/County Fairs & Exhibitions | 100% Exempt from overtime premiums | Straight-Time: Overtime hours are paid at regular straight-time (1.0x). |
Table illustrating the impact of Missouri's seasonal amusement and recreational overtime exemptions.
Important Exemption Safe-Guards:
This exemption only covers employees of the actual amusement/recreational establishment. Third-party contractors, such as independent retail kiosks or food trucks operating inside a theme park, are generally NOT exempt and must pay 1.5x overtime. Additionally, administrative, clerical, or maintenance staff working year-round (more than 7 months) do not fall under the seasonal exemption.