A Primer On Missouri Minimum Wage Increases

A Primer On Missouri Minimum Wage Increases
Small business employers and their employees should be aware of the minimum wage requirements in Missouri.
by Meredith Galante Oct 12, 2022 — 2 min read
A Primer On Missouri Minimum Wage Increases

Small-business owners across the country are adapting to the new minimum wage laws. If you’re an employer in Missouri, it’s important to stay up to date on Missouri minimum wage laws to ensure the financial health of your business. We’re here to help with our guide.

What is the minimum wage in Missouri in 2022?

The minimum wage in Missouri in 2022 is $11.15 an hour, according to Proposition B voted into law in 2018. The Missouri minimum wage increase is a bit higher than the federal minimum wage. Missouri minimum wages have increased since 2019 and are scheduled to increase through 2023.

Some cities in Missouri enacted a higher minimum wage to more closely align with the cost of living in the area. In 2015, St. Louis mandated a minimum wage increase to $10 an hour. However, in 2017, the legislature dropped the minimum wage to $7.70 to more closely match the state minimum at the time.

There are some minimum wage exemptions for certain industries and employees:

Some employees who are exempt from this minimum wage rate include:

Keep in mind that counties, cities, and towns may have their own minimum wage laws. Be sure to check what local wage laws may apply to you.

Learn how to formalize and grow your business. Check out the Employer Launchpad.

Are there plans to change the minimum wage beyond 2022?

In recent years, there have been some attempts in the state legislature to raise the Missouri minimum wage to $10.

In November 2018, voters approved Proposition B, which increases the statewide minimum wage from $7.75 to $12 over the course of five years.

What’s happening to the minimum wage beyond 2022?

With the passage of Proposition B, Missouri’s minimum wage was set to increase from $7.85 in 2018 to the following:

Additionally, Proposition B requires employers to pay tipped employees at least 50 percent of the Missouri minimum wage, plus any amount necessary to bring the employee’s total compensation to the minimum wage in 2022 of $11.15 per hour.

How should small-business owners prepare for potential changes to the minimum wage in 2022?

The Missouri minimum wage increase is set to give over 675,000 workers a raise, so there is a chance that you will be affected as a small-business owner. Square has plenty of employer resources to help you navigate these changes. Here are some to help you get started right away.

As always, to make sure your business is prepared and stays in compliance, you should discuss Missouri’s minimum wage laws with your accountant and lawyer.

Meredith Galante
Meredith Galante is a freelancer writer based in New York City. She's been writing for Square since 2017 where she's covered everything from the best software for restaurants to use to maximize profit, minimum wage laws across the country, and tips for entrepreneurs to maximize their impact.

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