Current Missouri minimum wage
| Worker / employer category | Rate (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Most covered employees | $15.00/hr | Effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 |
| Tipped employees (direct cash wage) | $7.50/hr (50% of $15.00)* | Employer must ensure wages + tips reach $15.00/hr |
| Small retail/service (gross < $500,000/yr) | Exempt from MO state law | FLSA may still apply if business meets FLSA coverage tests |
*Missouri's tipped wage is statutory at 50% of the current minimum wage under MO RSMo Chapter 290. The $7.50/hr figure is derived from the verified $15.00 statewide rate and the 50% rule — not an independently verified figure. Confirm current tipped rates with the Missouri Department of Labor at labor.mo.gov.
Proposition B (2018) and the annual rollover
Missouri voters approved Proposition B in November 2018, establishing a minimum wage schedule under Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 290. The measure set incremental annual increases and an annual rollover date of January 1. The 2026 rate of $15.00/hr represents the current step in this schedule. The Missouri Department of Labor announces each year's rate; verify future rates at labor.mo.gov.
Small-business exemption explained
Missouri's minimum wage law exempts retail and service businesses with annual gross income under $500,000. This is the state law exemption only. Such businesses may still be subject to the federal FLSA if they meet FLSA's enterprise coverage test (annual gross sales of $500,000 or more) or individual employee coverage. Businesses below both thresholds have no minimum wage floor under current law. The distinction matters for agricultural operations, small family businesses, and sole proprietorships.
Worked examples
Example 1: covered employee at minimum wage
Example 2: tipped employee
What this does not determine
- Whether a specific employer qualifies for the small-business gross-income exemption — requires reviewing the employer's actual annual gross income and business type.
- Whether the FLSA's enterprise or individual employee coverage applies where the state exemption does.
- Seasonal amusement and recreation businesses — Missouri law may include different provisions for these employers (noted in research data but not independently verified from statute text).
- Whether any local ordinance sets a higher minimum wage — verify with the Missouri Department of Labor and relevant municipalities.
Missouri statute and enforcement
Missouri's minimum wage is codified in Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 290. The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations enforces wage and hour laws. Employees who believe they have been underpaid may file a wage complaint with the DOLIR at labor.mo.gov.
Missouri vs. neighboring Kansas
Missouri's 2026 minimum wage of $15.00/hr — established by a 2018 voter initiative — stands far above neighboring Kansas, which has remained at the federal FLSA floor of $7.25/hr under Kan. Stat. § 44-1203. Kansas also has no CPI indexing or scheduled increases. The $7.75/hr gap between the two states reflects Missouri's ballot-initiative path to a higher floor that Kansas has not followed.
Sources and verification
The rate, effective date, and through date were verified from the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations minimum wage page (labor.mo.gov). The statute reference is Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 290. The tipped wage formula (50% of minimum wage) is drawn from the same source. See the site's methodology for how rates are verified before publication.