2020 Missouri Minimum Wage
The 2020 Missouri Minimum Wage is $9.45.
Effective 2020-01-01Source: Minimum Wage Rate Set for Private Employers for 2020 (Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations)Verified 2026-08-31
Compared with 2019
| Item | 2019 | 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $8.60 | $9.45 | +$0.85 (+9.9%) |
Who it applies to
Private employers in Missouri
What changed this year, and why
Missouri's minimum wage rose to $9.45 per hour, effective January 1, 2020, up from $8.60 per hour in 2019.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Missouri for 2020?
- The Missouri minimum wage in 2020 is $9.45 per hour, effective January 1, 2020. This is an increase from $8.60 per hour in 2019.
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Missouri's minimum wage for 2020 is $9.45 per hour. Workers with questions about this rate or who believe their employer is not paying the correct minimum wage should contact the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations. The department can be reached at 573-751-4091 or by email at communications2@labor.mo.gov. Additional information about minimum wage requirements and downloadable posters are available on the department's website. Employees in Missouri who have wage complaints should direct them to this state agency for assistance.
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations 573-751-4091 communications2@labor.mo.gov
Minimum Wage Rate Set for Private Employers for 2020 (Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
Missouri's minimum wage for 2020 is $9.45 per hour. This is the state's floor for most private employers. However, the state's minimum wage law does not apply to public employers, and it does not allow the state rate to be lower than the federal minimum wage rate. This means Missouri's rate will always meet or exceed the federal floor. When both state and federal minimum wages apply, the higher rate benefits the worker. Since Missouri's $9.45 rate exceeds the federal minimum, workers in Missouri are entitled to the state amount, not the lower federal rate.
Missouri law does not apply to public employers, nor does it allow the state’s minimum wage rate to be lower than the federal minimum wage rate.
Minimum Wage Rate Set for Private Employers for 2020 (Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
Missouri's minimum wage for 2020 is $9.45 per hour. Employers must pay tipped employees at least 50 percent of the minimum wage as a cash wage, plus any additional amount needed to ensure the employee's total compensation reaches at least $9.45 per hour when tips are included. This means that if an employee's tips plus the cash wage paid by the employer fall short of the minimum, the employer must make up the difference. Tipped workers in Missouri are guaranteed this minimum total compensation regardless of how much they receive in tips.
Employers are required to pay tipped employees at least 50 percent of the minimum wage, plus any amount necessary to bring the employee’s total compensation to a minimum of $9.45 per hour.
Minimum Wage Rate Set for Private Employers for 2020 (Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
Missouri's minimum wage for 2020 is $9.45 per hour. The state's minimum wage law establishes this rate, but it does not allow Missouri's rate to fall below the federal minimum wage rate. This means that even if economic conditions or policy changes were to reduce the state amount, workers in Missouri would still be protected by the federal floor. The state rate acts as an additional layer of protection above the federal baseline. For Missouri workers, this guarantee ensures that the state minimum will never drop below what federal law requires.
Missouri law does not apply to public employers, nor does it allow the state’s minimum wage rate to be lower than the federal minimum wage rate.
Minimum Wage Rate Set for Private Employers for 2020 (Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations)
How the rate is adjusted each year, and who announces it
Missouri's minimum wage for 2020 is $9.45 per hour. The state adjusts this rate annually based on the cost of living. The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announces the adjusted rate before the start of each year. For 2020, the established rate is $9.45, effective January 1, 2020. This automatic adjustment ensures that the minimum wage keeps pace with inflation without requiring new legislation each year. Workers and employers in Missouri can check the department's website for the current rate each year.
The Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations announces the state minimum wage rate for 2020 has been established, according to state law, at $9.45, effective January 1, 2020.
Minimum Wage Rate Set for Private Employers for 2020 (Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations)
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.
Minimum Wage Rate Set for Private Employers for 2020 (Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations)
- Hourly
All private businesses are required to pay at a minimum, the $9.45 hourly rate
Other years
Every Missouri Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state