Missouri tip laws (2026)
Missouri's minimum wage is $15.00 an hour as of January 1, 2026. Tipped workers get at least $7.50 in cash, half the minimum, with tips covering the rest. HB 567 ended the yearly inflation bumps, so no 2027 increase is on the books.
Missouri at a glance
Tip credit allowedMissouri: $15.00 an hour minimum wage. Tipped staff can be paid $7.50 cash, with up to $7.50 counted from tips.
| State minimum wage | $15.00/hr | Statewide from .[1] |
|---|---|---|
| Tipped cash wage | $7.50 | Plus up to $7.50 in tips = $15.00.[1] |
| Max tip credit | $7.50 | Counted from tips.[1] |
| Tip pooling | Allowed | Mandatory pools allowed.[2] |
| Card-fee deduction | Pro rata only | Only the tip's share of the fee.[2][3] |
| Card tip payout | Federally covered employers pay card tips by regular payday, with no waiting on the processor. | No separate Missouri deadline found.[2][3] |
| Local minimum wages | None | State law blocks local rates.[4] |
Rates verified against the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards on . Rates as of . Tipped totals are worked out from the rates above. Download this data (CSV)
02The yes/no sheet
Can you do this in Missouri?
In Missouri you can take a tip credit of up to $7.50 an hour, can require staff to join a tip pool and can take out only the tip's share of a card fee. Each answer below carries its condition and an official source.
| Number | Can you… | Answer | The condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Take a tip credit against minimum wage? | Yes | Pay at least $7.50 cash and count up to $7.50 in tips. Tips must cover the gap.[1] |
| 02 | Make staff join a tip pool? | Yes | Allowed, as long as only eligible staff share.[2] |
| 03 | Include bartenders, bussers, runners and hosts? | Depends | Bartender, busser, food runner and host: depends on actual pool eligibility. The federal cash wage test and Missouri's adopted 2004 rules both matter.[2][5] |
| 04 | Include cooks and dishwashers? | Depends | Federal law allows nontipped staff only in a qualifying full-cash-wage pool. How Missouri's adopted 2004 rules treat this needs review.[2][5] |
| 05 | Give managers or supervisors a share? | No | Federal rule: managers and supervisors can't get workers' pooled tips. They keep only tips for service they give directly and alone.[2] |
| 06 | Let an owner keep any of the tips? | No | Federally covered employers can't keep workers' tips. Active owners with at least 20% equity count as managers.[2] |
| 07 | Pick your own split (hours, points or percentages)? | Depends | Federally covered employers may set a required pool contribution, within participation and tip credit rules.[2] |
| 08 | Take card processing fees out of tips? | Pro rata | Federally covered employers may deduct only the actual proportional card fee, without dropping pay below the wage floor.[2][3] |
| 09 | Hold card tips until payday? | Deadline | Federally covered employers pay card tips by regular payday, with no waiting on the processor. No separate Missouri deadline found.[2][3] |
| 10 | Cover walkouts, breakage or register shortages from tips? | No | Not from tips.[2] |
| 11 | Keep a mandatory service charge for the house? | Federal rule | No state rule. Federal rule applies: a compulsory service charge is not an FLSA tip. Amounts distributed to employees are wages that may satisfy wage obligations and must enter the regular rate for overtime. This federal wage classification does not decide contractual or state-law ownership.[2] |
| 12 | Pay tips on a payroll card? | Depends (federal) | Federal rule: it depends. Optional payroll-card programs are subject to federal and state wage-payment protections.[6] |
03State vs federal
Missouri vs federal law
Missouri sets a stricter rule than federal law on 2 of the 10 rules below, starting with a $15.00 minimum wage against the federal $7.25. Where the two differ, the rule that is better for the worker applies.
| Rule | Federal (FLSA) | Missouri | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum wageStricter | Federal$7.25[2] | Missouri$15.00[1] | Stricter |
| Tipped cash wageStricter | Federal$2.13[2] | Missouri$7.50[1] | Stricter |
| Max tip creditHigher credit | Federal$5.12[2] | Missouri$7.50[1] | Higher credit |
| Who counts as tippedFederal applies | FederalMore than $30 a month in tips, customarily and regularly received in the occupation.[2] | MissouriFederal rule applies.[5] | Federal applies |
| Managers in the poolFederal applies | FederalManagers/supervisors meeting the executive duties test cannot keep employees’ tips or receive from pools; they may keep only tips received directly for services they directly and solely provide. No salary-level test is used for this tip restriction.[2] | MissouriFederal rule: managers and supervisors can't get workers' pooled tips. They keep only tips for service they give directly and alone.[2] | Federal applies |
| Kitchen in the poolState rule | FederalCooks and dishwashers may join a nontraditional mandatory pool only when all workers receive a direct cash wage of at least the full federal minimum wage and no tip credit is taken; employer/managers/supervisors remain excluded. State law may be stricter.[2] | MissouriFederal law allows nontipped staff only in a qualifying full-cash-wage pool. How Missouri's adopted 2004 rules treat this needs review.[2][5] | State rule |
| Card fees from tipsSame as federal | FederalOnly the actual proportional credit-card transaction fee may be deducted from charged tips; no deduction exceeding that fee or reducing required minimum wages; state law may forbid even that deduction.[2] | MissouriTip's share of the fee only[2][3] | Same as federal |
| Card tip payoutFederal applies | FederalCharged tips due by regular payday, without waiting for processor reimbursement. Employer-administered pools fully distributed by regular payday for the workweek/pay period; if the amount/distribution cannot be determined before payroll, distribute as soon as practicable afterward.[2] | MissouriFederally covered employers pay card tips by regular payday, with no waiting on the processor. No separate Missouri deadline found.[2][3] | Federal applies |
| Mandatory service chargesFederal applies | FederalA compulsory service charge is not an FLSA tip. Amounts distributed to employees are wages that may satisfy wage obligations and must enter the regular rate for overtime. This federal wage classification does not decide contractual or state-law ownership.[2] | MissouriFederal rule applies.[3] | Federal applies |
| Overtime for tipped staffState rule | FederalFor covered nonexempt employees, overtime generally begins after 40 hours in a workweek. Use the full regular rate, at least the full federal minimum wage, not $2.13; the hourly tip credit is not increased for overtime. Voluntary tips above the tip credit are excluded; distributed service charges enter the regular rate.[2] | MissouriTime and a half after 40 hours. The tip credit doesn't grow for overtime hours.[7][8][2] | State rule |
Every state starts from the same federal floor. Federal tip law baseline: the FLSA rules, rates and sources, and how Missouri fits among the four tip credit classes.
04Wages
Minimum wage and the tip credit in Missouri
In Missouri employers can pay tipped staff $7.50 an hour and count up to $7.50 in tips toward the $15.00 minimum. If tips fall short, the employer makes up the difference.[1]
One server, one slow 30-hour week in Missouri
A busy week with $225.00 or more in tips needs no top-up. Every tip above that is the server's. Fictional worker and tips.
- Tip credit conditions
- Employer pays at least 50% of the minimum wage and covers any weekly shortfall. Workers must receive and keep their tips.[3][5]
- Who counts as tipped
- No state rule. Federal rule applies: more than $30 a month in tips, customarily and regularly received in the occupation.[2][5]
- Side work and dual jobs
- Missouri adopts federal rules as they stood on December 16, 2004. Later federal changes are not included.[5]
06Tip pool
Who can be in the tip pool in Missouri
Missouri allows tip pools, and employers can make them mandatory. Owners, managers and supervisors can't share in them. A tip pool collects tips and splits them among staff; a tip-out is one worker handing part of their tips to others.
| Role | Can share? | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Front of house | ||
| Server | Depends | Depends on actual pool eligibility. The federal cash wage test and Missouri's adopted 2004 rules both matter.[2][5] |
| Bartender | Depends | Depends on actual pool eligibility. The federal cash wage test and Missouri's adopted 2004 rules both matter.[2][5] |
| Busser | Depends | Depends on actual pool eligibility. The federal cash wage test and Missouri's adopted 2004 rules both matter.[2][5] |
| Food runner | Depends | Depends on actual pool eligibility. The federal cash wage test and Missouri's adopted 2004 rules both matter.[2][5] |
| Host | Depends | Depends on actual pool eligibility. The federal cash wage test and Missouri's adopted 2004 rules both matter.[2][5] |
| Barback | Depends | Depends on actual pool eligibility. The federal cash wage test and Missouri's adopted 2004 rules both matter.[2][5] |
| Expo | Depends | Depends on actual pool eligibility. The federal cash wage test and Missouri's adopted 2004 rules both matter.[2][5] |
| Back of house | ||
| Cook | Depends | Depends on actual pool eligibility. The federal cash wage test and Missouri's adopted 2004 rules both matter.[2][5] |
| Dishwasher | Depends | Depends on actual pool eligibility. The federal cash wage test and Missouri's adopted 2004 rules both matter.[2][5] |
| Leadership | ||
| Shift lead | Depends | Depends on actual pool eligibility. The federal cash wage test and Missouri's adopted 2004 rules both matter.[2][5] |
| Manager or supervisor | Not allowed | Federally covered employers can't give workers' pooled tips to this role.[2] |
| Owner | Not allowed | Federally covered employers can't give workers' pooled tips to this role.[2] |
- Managers and supervisors
- Federal rule: managers and supervisors can't get workers' pooled tips. They keep only tips for service they give directly and alone.[2]
- Owners
- Federally covered employers can't keep workers' tips. Active owners with at least 20% equity count as managers.[2]
- Back of house
- Federal law allows nontipped staff only in a qualifying full-cash-wage pool. How Missouri's adopted 2004 rules treat this needs review.[2][5]
- Who sets the percentages
- Federally covered employers may set a required pool contribution, within participation and tip credit rules.[2]
- Cap on what a pool can take
- No state rule. Federal rule applies: no federal percentage or amount cap for a valid mandatory pool; eligibility, notice and minimum wage rules still apply.[2][3]
- Pooling allowed
- Yes. Federal eligibility applies where covered. Missouri adopts federal rules as of December 16, 2004.[2]
07Put it to work
Setting up a tip pool in Missouri
Under Missouri rules, 6 of the 10 staff in this example can share a $1,200 pool. The table splits the same pool by percentage, by points and by hours.
| Who | By % | By points | By hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maya | $268.29 | $250.00 | $211.78 |
| Jordan | $268.29 | $250.00 | $211.76 |
| Priya | $268.29 | $250.00 | $211.76 |
| Sam | $175.61 | $200.00 | $211.76 |
| Luis | $109.76 | $125.00 | $176.47 |
| Ava | $109.76 | $125.00 | $176.47 |
| Theo | Not in the pool. Out here: this pool includes servers paid with a tip credit. | ||
| Kim | Not in the pool. Out here: this pool includes servers paid with a tip credit. | ||
| Rafa | Not in the pool. Out here: this pool includes servers paid with a tip credit. | ||
| Dana | Not in the pool. Federally covered employers can't give workers' pooled tips to this role. | ||
| Total | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 |
Fictional restaurant and staff. The guest-facing staff here are assumed to meet Missouri's condition for sharing (see who can be in the tip pool, above). Percentages and point weights are examples, not a recommendation. Shares are rounded to the cent, and any leftover cent goes to the first server. Run your own numbers in the tip pooling calculator.
Ferry Tip Manager: support pool split by hours
Servers and bartenders pay into the support pool, and Tip Manager splits it by hours worked. Each person sees their share, with no spreadsheet at close.
Who it's for Full-service restaurants that tip out bussers, runners and bar backs
08Service charges
Service charges vs tips in Missouri
Missouri has no service charge rule of its own. Under federal law a mandatory service charge is not a tip, and any part paid to staff counts as wages.
| Question | OptionalTip | MandatoryService charge |
|---|---|---|
| Who sets the amount | The guest | The business |
| Who it belongs to | The worker it was left for, or the pool | No state rule. Federal rule applies: a compulsory service charge is not an FLSA tip. Amounts distributed to employees are wages that may satisfy wage obligations and must enter the regular rate for overtime. This federal wage classification does not decide contractual or state-law ownership.[2][3] |
| Can it go to staff? | Yes, through the pool | Yes. Amounts paid to staff are wages, not tips.[2] |
| How it's taxed (federal) | Tip income the worker reports | Regular wages, with payroll taxes[11][12] |
| Guest notice | None needed | No state rule. Federal law sets no menu or receipt notice rule.[3] |
- Step 1Did the guest choose whether to pay it, and how much?YesIt's a tip. It belongs to staff.NoIt's a mandatory charge. Go to step 2.
- Step 2What does Missouri say?Federal ruleNo state rule. Federal rule applies: a compulsory service charge is not an FLSA tip. Amounts distributed to employees are wages that may satisfy wage obligations and must enter the regular rate for overtime. This federal wage classification does not decide contractual or state-law ownership.[2][3]
- Step 3Check the cityNo city service charge rules on file for Missouri.
- Menu and receipt notice
- No state rule. Federal law sets no menu or receipt notice rule.[3]
- Large-party auto gratuities
- No state rule. Federal rule applies: mandatory automatic gratuities are service charges for federal tax purposes, even when distributed to employees; a label does not make the payment voluntary.[11][12][3]
Local service charge rules
No local service charge rules on file for Missouri.
More on the difference: service charge vs tip.
09Card tips
Card tips in Missouri: fees and payout timing
In Missouri only the tip's share of the card processing fee can come out of a card tip. Payout deadline: federally covered employers pay card tips by regular payday, with no waiting on the processor. No separate Missouri deadline found.
Federally covered employers may deduct only the actual proportional card fee, without dropping pay below the wage floor.[2]
When card tips have to land
- TonightGuest adds a tip On the card, at the table.
- CloseShift is tallied The pool is split by your rules.
- DeadlineMissouri rule Federally covered employers pay card tips by regular payday, with no waiting on the processor. No separate Missouri deadline found.[2][3]
- Last dayFinal pay Fired workers are owed earned wages that day. After a written demand and 7 days unpaid, wages can keep accruing up to 60 days.[13]
Paydays: Covered corporations pay at least semimonthly, within 16 days after payroll closes. Some salaried and commission roles may be monthly.[14]
Paying tips on a payroll card
- Allowed?Depends (federal)No state rule. Federal rule applies: it depends. Optional payroll-card programs are subject to federal and state wage-payment protections.[6][9]
- Worker consent needed?Yes (federal)No state rule. Federal rule applies: yes. The employer cannot require its payroll card.[6][9]
- Free way to get the money?Federal ruleNo state rule. Federal rule applies: no general federal free cash-withdrawal mandate identified; Regulation E requires fee disclosures. State law may require free access.[15][9]
- Must you offer another option?Yes (federal)No state rule. Federal rule applies: yes. At least one alternative must be offered under CFPB guidance.[6][9]
- Holding cash tipsFederal ruleNo state rule. Federal rule applies: employer may collect to administer a valid pool, then distribute under the regular-payday rule. No broader authorization to retain cash tips is established.[2][3]
- Tips shown on the pay stubNo (federal)No state rule. Federal rule applies: no. FLSA does not require pay stubs; state laws and employer records are separate.[16][14]
Ferry Pay: each tip share, paid out digitally
Each person's direct tips, tip outs and payable amount in one view, then paid through Ferry Pay. No cash to keep on hand for payouts. Eligibility and fees apply.
Who it's for Operators who want to stop the nightly cash run
“Since launching this card program, we've reduced our cash-carrying costs by over 66 percent”
10Records
Records and notices in Missouri
Keep each tipped worker's tips and hours on record, shift by shift. Missouri: at least three years for Missouri minimum wage records.
Missouri State
- Tip records Keep each worker's identity, job, pay rate, amounts paid, daily and weekly hours and credited goods or services. Federal tip records are separate.[17]
- How long to keep them At least three years for Missouri minimum wage records.[17]
- Tip credit notice Required. Federally covered employers explain the cash wage, tip credit, actual-tip limit and retention and pool rules before taking the credit.[2]
- Posters and forms Missouri minimum wage summary poster.[1]
Everywhere Federal
- Tip records Maintain employee identity, time and pay records. Tip-credit employers additionally retain tipped employee, reported tips, credit amounts and hours/earnings by tipped and nontipped occupation. No-tip-credit employers operating mandatory pools record each recipient and weekly/monthly tips. IRS daily records/reporting are separate obligations.[2]
- How long to keep them FLSA: payroll records at least three years; underlying wage-computation records two years. Tax retention is separate.[18]
- Tip credit notice Oral or written notice must state cash wage; tip credit amount; credit cannot exceed actual tips; employee retains tips except valid traditional pool; credit unavailable until informed. Traditional pool contribution amounts also disclosed.[2]
- A written pool policy Good practice, not a federal rule: who's in, how it splits, when it pays. Share it with staff. How to write one.
Think your tips were handled wrong in Missouri?
Workers in Missouri can file a tip or wage claim with the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards (573-751-3403). Filing is free, and this page can't settle a dispute; the state can.[1]
- Phone
- 573-751-3403[1]
- Website
- labor.mo.gov/dls/minimum-wage
Retaliation: RSMo 290.525(7) prohibits retaliation for reporting minimum-wage violations or participating in related proceedings. Federal FLSA retaliation protections can also apply outside federal minimum-wage coverage.[19][20]
Penalties: Unpaid wages plus twice that as liquidated damages, plus costs and attorney fees. Claims must be filed within three years.[21]
Can they take this out of my tips?
- Walkouts and dine-and-dashNot allowedFor federally covered workers, tips can’t pay for employer losses or costs. Deductions from regular wages follow separate rules.[2]
- BreakageNot allowedFor federally covered workers, tips can’t pay for employer losses or costs. Deductions from regular wages follow separate rules.[2]
- Register shortagesNot allowedFor federally covered workers, tips can’t pay for employer losses or costs. Deductions from regular wages follow separate rules.[2]
- UniformsNot allowedFor federally covered workers, tips can’t pay for employer losses or costs. Deductions from regular wages follow separate rules.[2]
- Card processing feesAllowedFederally covered employers: only the actual proportional card fee, keeping required wages intact.[2]
- A manager's shareNot allowedFederally covered employers can't take workers' tips.[2]
11Law changes
What changed in Missouri tip law, and what's coming
No statewide increase with a published amount is on file for Missouri as of . Most recent change: HB 567 ended future yearly inflation adjustments and kept the $15.00 rate that took effect January 1, 2026 ().
- ChangedHB 567 ended future yearly inflation adjustments and kept the $15.00 rate that took effect January 1, 2026.[10]
Bills and ballot measures
Nothing pending as of .
Key statutes
- RSMo 290.502, 290.512, 290.520, 290.525, 290.527, 290.528
- RSMo 290.080 and 290.110
- 8 CSR 30-4.010 through 30-4.060
12FAQ
Missouri tip law questions
Plain answers to the 8 questions restaurant owners and staff ask most about Missouri tip law, each linked to its source.
What is Missouri's tipped cash wage in 2026?
Who covers a tip shortfall?
Is a 2027 increase scheduled?
No. HB 567 ended the yearly inflation adjustments, and current law holds at $15.00.[10]
Can Missouri employers require tip pooling?
Can managers get the tip pool?
No. Federal law bars managers, supervisors and employers from keeping workers' pooled tips.[2]
When are credit card tips paid?
For federally covered jobs, by the regular payday. Payment can't wait on the card company.[2]
Can Missouri cities set a higher minimum wage?
No. State law preempts local minimum or living wage rules that go beyond state law.[4]
How long must wage records be kept?
At least three years for employers under the state minimum wage law.[17]
13Compare
How Missouri compares with nearby states
Missouri borders Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Tennessee. None of the neighbors with a page pays a higher minimum wage than Missouri's $15.00. Running locations on both sides of a line? Each one follows its own state's rules.
Neighboring states
- Arkansas tip laws$11.00 min wage $2.63 tipped cash wage Above $2.13
- Iowa tip laws$7.25 min wage $4.35 tipped cash wage Above $2.13
- Illinois tip laws$15.00 min wage $9.00 tipped cash wage Above $2.13
- Kansas tip laws$7.25 min wage $2.13 tipped cash wage $2.13 cash
- Kentucky tip laws$7.25 min wage $2.13 tipped cash wage $2.13 cash
- Nebraska tip laws$15.00 min wage $2.13 tipped cash wage $2.13 cash
- Oklahoma tip laws$7.25 min wage $2.13 tipped cash wage $2.13 cash
- Tennessee tip laws$7.25 min wage Federal $2.13 cash wage Federal
States with the same rules
Same tip credit class as Missouri: Tip credit, cash wage above federal.
- Vermont tip laws$14.42 min wage $7.21 tipped cash wage Also a tip credit with a cash wage above $2.13, and only the tip's share of card fees
- South Dakota tip laws$11.85 min wage $5.925 tipped cash wage Also a tip credit with a cash wage above $2.13, and only the tip's share of card fees
- Ohio tip laws$11.00 min wage $5.50 tipped cash wage Also a tip credit with a cash wage above $2.13, and only the tip's share of card fees
- District of Columbia tip laws$18.40 min wage $10.30 tipped cash wage Also a tip credit with a cash wage above $2.13, and only the tip's share of card fees
- New York tip laws$16.00 min wage $10.70 tipped cash wage Also a tip credit with a cash wage above $2.13, and only the tip's share of card fees
- Rhode Island tip laws$16.00 min wage $3.89 tipped cash wage Also a tip credit with a cash wage above $2.13, and only the tip's share of card fees
The law decides who's in. Ferry runs the split.
See how operators set pool rules in Ferry Tip Manager and pay tips out without a cash run. Bring your own Missouri setup.
14Sources
Sources for Missouri tip laws
Every figure on this page links to one of these 22 sources: 16 for Missouri and 6 for the federal baseline. They are statutes, regulations and government agency pages, each with the date it was checked.
- 1Minimum Wage, 2026Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: TIPPED EMPLOYEES; Missouri Minimum Wage Summary Posters; Summary poster contact blocklabor.mo.gov/dls/minimum-wage
What the source says
“Employers are required to pay tipped employees at least 50 percent of the minimum wage, $7.50 per hour, plus any amount necessary to bring the employee’s total compensation to a minimum of $15.00 per hour.”
“All employers subject to any provisions of the law shall post a summary of the law and regulations.”
“573-751-3403”
- 2Fact Sheet 15 Tipped Employees Under FLSAU.S. Department of Labor · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: Tip pooling; Employers, Including Managers and Supervisors, May Not Keep Tips; Credit Cards, paragraph 1www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/15-tipped-employees-flsa
What the source says
“The FLSA allows employers to require employees to share or “pool” tips with other eligible employees.”
“Regardless of whether an employer takes a tip credit, the FLSA prohibits employers from keeping any portion of employees’ tips for any purpose, whether directly or through a tip pool.”
“the employer may pay the employee the tip, less that percentage.”
- 3RSMo 290.512Missouri Legislature · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: 290.512(1)revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=290.512
What the source says
“No employer of any employee who receives and retains compensation in the form of gratuities in addition to wages”
- 4RSMo 290.528Missouri Legislature · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: 290.528(2), preemptionrevisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=290.528
What the source says
“Sections 290.500 to 290.530 shall preempt and nullify all political subdivision ordinances, rules, and regulations currently in effect or later enacted relating to the establishment or enforcement of a minimum or living wage or the provision of employment benefits that exceed state laws, rules, or regulations.”
- 58 CSR 30-4 Minimum Wage and Overtime RulesMissouri Secretary of State · Official source · Page updated · Checked Pinpoint: 8 CSR 30-4.010(1), physical p 2; chapter contents, physical p 1; 8 CSR 30-4.020(1), weekly shortfallwww.sos.mo.gov/cmsimages/adrules/csr/current/8csr/8c30-4.pdf
What the source says
“December 16, 2004, and does not include”
“Chapter 4—Minimum Wage and Overtime Rules”
“If, in any workweek, the total wages earned by an employee is less than the applicable minimum wage rate for the total hours worked, the employer shall pay the difference”
- 6What is a payroll card?Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · Official source · Page updated · Checked Pinpoint: definition, paragraph 1; paragraph following definitionwww.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-payroll-card-en-401
What the source says
“A payroll card is a prepaid card arranged by an employer for the purpose of paying its employees’ wages or salary.”
“Your employer can’t require you to receive your wages on a payroll card.”
“Your employer has to offer you at least one alternative to a payroll card.”
- 7Wages, Hours and Dismissal RightsMissouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: Overtime Paylabor.mo.gov/dls/general
What the source says
“Employers must pay at least one and one-half times the employee’s regular rate of pay once overtime pay is in effect. Overtime pay begins once an employee works more than 40 hours in a work week rather than more than 8 hours in a work day.”
- 8RSMo 290.505Missouri Legislature · Official source · Page updated · Checked Pinpoint: 290.505(3); subsection 4 dynamically incorporates federal overtime lawrevisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=290.505
What the source says
“the overtime requirements of subsection (1) shall not apply to employees who are exempt from federal minimum wage or overtime requirements”
- 9RSMo 290.500Missouri Legislature · Official source · Page updated · Checked Pinpoint: 290.500(3)(m), statutory coverage exception; 290.500(7); 290.500(5), age and training definitionrevisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=290.500
What the source says
“Any individual employed by a retail or service business whose annual gross volume sales made or business done is less than five hundred thousand dollars;”
“payable in legal tender of the United States or checks on banks convertible into cash on demand at full face value;”
“any individual under 20 years of age who has not completed the required training for a particular job.”
- 10RSMo 290.502Missouri Legislature · Official source · Page updated · Checked Pinpoint: 290.502(3); 290.502(2), ending annual CPI adjustmentrevisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=290.502
What the source says
“Thereafter, the minimum wage established by this subsection shall be increased by $1.25 per hour, to $15.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2026.”
“but ending December 31, 2024”
- 11Tip recordkeeping and reportingInternal Revenue Service · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: Service charges are not tips, paragraph 2; qualified tips deduction, net-income limit; tip income, Social Security/Medicarewww.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tip-recordkeeping-and-reporting
What the source says
“Service charges (also referred to as “auto-gratuities”), when distributed to an employee, are generally treated as wages paid by the employer to the employee rather than tips paid by the customer.”
“For self-employed individuals, the deduction may not exceed the individual’s net income (without regard to this deduction) from the trade or business in which the tips were earned.”
“These amounts are subject to federal income tax and generally are also subject to Social Security and Medicare taxes.”
- 12Revenue Ruling 2012-18Internal Revenue Service · Official source · Page updated 2012 · Checked Pinpoint: Q 1/A 1, four distinguishing factors; p. 1, ruling headingwww.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/rr-12-18.pdf
What the source says
“compulsion; (2) the customer must have the unrestricted right to determine the amount; (3) the payment should not be the subject of negotiation or dictated by employer policy; and (4) generally, the customer has the right to determine who receives the payment.”
“Rev. Rul. 2012-18”
- 13RSMo 290.110Missouri Legislature · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: 290.110, discharge clauserevisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=290.110
What the source says
“the unpaid wages of the servant or employee then earned at the contract rate, without abatement or deduction, shall be and become due and payable on the day of the discharge or refusal to longer employ”
- 14RSMo 290.080Missouri Legislature · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: section heading; 290.080 statement requirementrevisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=290.080
What the source says
“shall pay the wages and salaries of their employees as often as semimonthly, within sixteen days of the close of each payroll period;”
“290.080.”
“shall furnish the employee at least once a month a statement showing the total amount of deductions for the period.”
- 15Are there fees to use a payroll card?Consumer Financial Protection Bureau · Official source · Page updated · Checked www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/are-there-fees-to-use-a-payroll-card-en-403
What the source says
“Many state laws require that you’re able to access or withdraw your money for free, so check your state’s laws.”
- 16Questions and Answers About the FLSA, DOL WHDU.S. Department of Labor · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: Recordkeeping and Notices, Are pay stubs required?www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/flsa/faq
What the source says
“However, the FLSA does not require an employer to provide employees pay stubs.”
- 17RSMo 290.520Missouri Legislature · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: 290.520, retention clauserevisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=290.520
What the source says
“shall make and keep for a period of not less than three years”
- 18Fact Sheet #21: Recordkeeping Requirements under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)U.S. Department of Labor · Official source · Page updated · Checked Pinpoint: Posting, paragraph 1www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/21-flsa-recordkeeping
What the source says
“Each employer shall preserve for at least three years payroll records, collective bargaining agreements, sales and purchase records.”
“Employers must display an official poster outlining the provisions of the Act, available at no cost from local offices of the Wage and Hour Division and toll-free, by calling 1-866-4USWage (1-866-487-9243).”
“Records on which wage computations are based should be retained for two years,”
- 19RSMo 290.525Missouri Legislature · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: 290.525(7)revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=290.525
What the source says
“Discharging or in any other manner discriminating against any employee who has notified the director that he has not been paid wages in accordance with the provisions of sections 290.500 to 290.530”
- 20Fact Sheet 77A: Prohibiting Retaliation Under the FLSAUS Department of Labor · Official source · Checked Pinpoint: Coverage, FLSA15(a)(3)www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/77a-flsa-prohibiting-retaliation
What the source says
“the protection applies to all employees of an employer even in those instances in which the employee’s work and the employer are not covered by the FLSA.”
- 21RSMo 290.527Missouri Legislature · Official source · Page updated · Checked Pinpoint: 290.527, remediesrevisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=290.527
What the source says
“an additional amount equal to twice the unpaid wages as liquidated damages”
- 22Tipped EmployeesMissouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations · Official source · Checked labor.mo.gov/dls/minimum-wage/tipped-employees
15Methodology
How we research these pages
Every figure on this page comes from an official source, a statute, a regulation or a government agency page, and links to it where it is used. Ferry checks the page against those sources on a schedule and logs every change.
- 1
Official sources only
Statutes, regulations, state labor agencies, city ordinances and the U.S. Department of Labor. No vendor blogs, no AI answers, no secondary summaries as the only source.
- 2
Every figure is linked
Each rate and rule carries a numbered link to the statute or agency page behind it, with the exact pinpoint and, where available, a link that opens at the sentence itself.
- 3
Re-checked on a schedule
Every page is re-checked each January and July, and whenever a state or city changes a rate. Cash wage plus tip credit is checked against the minimum wage on every build.
- 4
Gaps are left out, not guessed
If a rule can't be confirmed from an official source, it isn't shown. The page points to the state agency instead.
What changed on this page
- First version of this page. Every figure was checked against the official sources listed on this page.
Researched by Ferry's tip operations research team. Last reviewed .
Changes to the law itself are listed in What changed and what's coming.
16Every state
Tip laws in every state
Pick any state for its tip credit, tip pool, service charge and card tip rules. Each chip shows the state's tip credit class.
- No tip creditNo tip credit
- Above $2.13Tip credit, cash wage above federal
- $2.13 cashTip credit, federal cash wage
- FederalFederal rates apply
51 of 51 state pages. Open the master guide for the federal baseline, tip credit classes and the full comparison table.