The state of Mississippi is a relatively large state, situated in the southeast region of the US. For many business owners, doing business in Mississippi is an attractive proposition.
A major factor for anyone involved in running a business or planning to start a business or franchise in Mississippi is rates of pay and wage laws. For employers, it is important to know what you are legally obligated to pay employees as a minimum hourly rate, and for employees, it is important to know your workers’ rights and what your employer is obligated to pay you.
In 2024, the Mississippi minimum wage is $7.25. This is the same as the federal minimum wage and has been since 2009. There is no sign of an increase in the federal minimum wage anytime soon, however, there could be for the state of Mississippi. It is not unusual for a state to not have its own higher minimum wage, in fact, 21 other states use the federal wage as their own min wage.
This page is updated often to reflect the latest information on the Mississippi minimum wage. However, if you need more information from the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, then visit their website for tax filing information and unemployment claims.
The graphic below charts the Mississippi minimum wage over the past several years indicating there have been no increases.
If you are a full-time worker on Mississippi state minimum wage, your earnings could be as follows:
- Weekly Minimum Wage: $290.00 (based on a 40-hour week).
- Yearly Minimum Wage: $15,080.00 (based on being paid 52 weeks per year).
There were discussions in 2017 to increase the minimum wage by $2.75 making it $10.00 per hour, but the Mississippi minimum wage increase bid failed and the minimum wage in Mississippi has remained the same since at $7.25 per hour.
Since the Mississippi minimum wage is the same as the federal minimum wage, there are no major differences in the minimum wage rate in Mississippi based on the type of industry you work in.
You can view and download the Mississippi minimum wage labor law poster for 2024 here at no charge. Employers must display an official poster outlining the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), ensuring that accurate employee time and pay records are kept.
Mississippi Minimum Wage History
The table below shows the current rate and history of Mississippi’s minimum wage over the past 40+ years since 1983. You can see when there were increases in the minimum wage, how much they were, and what percentage increase it represents each year.
| Year | Minimum Wage | Increase ($) | Increase (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2023 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2022 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2021 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2020 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2019 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2018 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2017 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2016 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2015 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2014 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2013 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2012 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2011 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2010 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 2009 | $7.25 | $0.70 | 11% |
| 2008 | $6.55 | $0 | 0% |
| 2007 | $5.85 | $0.70 | 5.58% |
| 2006 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2005 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2004 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2003 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2002 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2001 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 2000 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 1999 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 1998 | $5.15 | $0 | 0% |
| 1997 | $5.15 | $0.40 | 8.42% |
| 1996 | $4.75 | $0.50 | 4.76% |
| 1995 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 1994 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 1993 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 1992 | $4.25 | $0 | 0% |
| 1991 | $4.25 | $0.45 | 11.84% |
| 1990 | $3.80 | $0.45 | 13.43% |
| 1989 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| 1988 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| 1987 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| 1986 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| 1985 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| 1984 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
| 1983 | $3.35 | $0 | 0% |
Mississippi Minimum Wage Exemptions
In addition to the regular minimum wage rate, there are a few Mississippi state minimum wage exemptions that typically depend on your age or employment situation. Below are the various minimum wage exemptions with some situational examples.
Mississippi Student Minimum Wage
The minimum wage for student employees in Mississippi is 85% of the Mississippi minimum wage, making their hourly pay $6.16 per hour in 2024.
This hourly rate is for any hours worked up to 20 hours per week. As a student employee, once you surpass 20 hours per week, you will be eligible to be paid the Mississippi minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour.
Being a student can be financially challenging, leading many students to pick up part-time jobs to make extra money while studying. Despite a student minimum wage rate, many Mississippi employers will not necessarily follow it and pay you equal to or more than the statewide minimum wage.
Many work-study programs are available at universities, which is a route many students go down. Still, coffee shop, cafe, bar, and restaurant jobs are commonly taken by students as they can work them into their class schedule.
Mississippi Under 20 Minimum Wage
If you are under 20 years old in Mississippi, federal law allows your employer to pay you as little as $4.25 per hour for your first 90 days of employment.
Once the 90-day period is over, you will be eligible to be paid the 2024 Mississippi minimum wage of $7.25 per hour or potentially even more.
Fortunately for young workers, this is 90 calendar days and not 90 working days; therefore, it can be completed relatively quickly and within about three months.
Mississippi Tipped Minimum Wage
If you are a tipped employee in Mississippi (someone who receives regular tips as a part of their job) then you are eligible to be paid a minimum wage of $2.13 per hour, with a tip credit of $5.12 per hour, ensuring that you reach the statewide minimum wage regardless if you make enough hourly tips.
Mississippi Overtime Minimum Wage
Once you work over 40 hours a week, you are eligible to be paid an overtime rate of 1.5 times your hourly wage for every hour you work past 40. So, the overtime Mississippi state minimum wage is $10.88 per hour, 1.5 times the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
