2018 Mississippi Minimum Wage
The 2018 Mississippi Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2018-01-01Source: Job Searching FAQs (Mississippi Department of Employment Security)Verified 2026-08-30
Compared with 2017
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2017.
| Item | 2017 | 2018 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Workers and employers in Mississippi
What changed this year, and why
Mississippi's minimum wage in 2018 is $7.25 per hour, the federal minimum wage rate. Mississippi does not set its own state minimum wage, so the federal rate applies. The rate was unchanged from 2017.
Common questions
- Does Mississippi have its own state minimum wage?
- No. Mississippi does not set a state minimum wage, so the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour applies.
- Are there exceptions to the minimum wage?
- Yes. There are a few exceptions to the federal minimum wage requirement.
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
In Mississippi, questions about wage rates, discrimination, workers compensation, or other employment issues are handled by the Department of Labor. Workers who have concerns about their pay, workplace conditions, or believe their rights have been violated should contact the relevant state or federal labor office. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division handles most wage complaints in Mississippi, including minimum wage and overtime issues. For discrimination complaints, workers may contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Mississippi workers can also reach out to MDES for information about unemployment benefits, job search assistance, and workforce programs. If you need to file a wage complaint or have questions about whether your employer is following wage laws, contact the appropriate labor agency to get help resolving the issue.
For frequently asked questions regarding issues resolved by the Department of Labor, such as discrimination, disabilities, veterans, wages, workers compensation, youth and others, or services, such as Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) or Job Corps, select the link below.
Job Searching FAQs (Mississippi Department of Employment Security)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
In Mississippi, some states have minimum wage laws that provide greater protections than federal law, including higher wage rates, broader coverage, or stricter overtime rules. When a state law offers more than the federal rate, employers must follow whichever standard is more beneficial to the employee. However, Mississippi does not have a state minimum wage law that exceeds the federal requirement, so workers in Mississippi are covered only by the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act sets the floor, and any state that chooses to provide additional protections must do so explicitly through its own legislation. Workers in Mississippi should know that their wage protections come entirely from federal law, and there are no additional state-level requirements that would increase their minimum pay beyond what federal law requires.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. There are a few exceptions, however.
Job Searching FAQs (Mississippi Department of Employment Security)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
In Mississippi, the state does not have its own minimum wage law, so the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour applies to all covered workers. When a state has no minimum wage or sets a rate below the federal floor, the higher federal rate takes precedence. This means Mississippi employers must pay at least $7.25 per hour to non-exempt employees, regardless of what other states may require. The federal Fair Labor Standards Act establishes this baseline protection for workers across the country. In states with their own higher minimum wage laws, workers receive the greater of the two rates, but in Mississippi, the federal rate is the only enforceable minimum. Workers should understand that even though Mississippi has not set a separate state minimum wage, they are still entitled to receive at least $7.25 per hour for all hours worked, with limited exceptions for certain categories of employees.
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. There are a few exceptions, however.
Job Searching FAQs (Mississippi Department of Employment Security)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Job Searching FAQs (Mississippi Department of Employment Security)
- Hourly
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
Other years
Every Mississippi Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state