Minnesota has two overtime lines: federal law pays 1.5x after 40 hours and covers most workers, while state law sets the line at 48 hours for employers outside federal coverage. Enter your rate and hours for a Minnesota estimate. The 2026 minimum wage is $11.41 an hour.
Rules verified November 2026 · Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry
By Mudassir Khan
Federal 40 hour math, which covers most Minnesota workers. Each workweek stands alone.
The calculator uses the federal 40 hour rule that governs most Minnesota workers. Unpaid overtime complaints go to MN Department of Labor and Industry, Labor Standards. Estimates only. Not tax, legal, or payroll advice. Confirm with your employer or a qualified professional.
The federal FLSA requires 1.5x after 40 hours and covers most Minnesota employers. Minnesota state law sets the line at 48 hours for employers outside federal coverage. Whichever standard favors the employee applies.
From January 1, 2026 the minimum wage is $11.41 an hour for all employers; the old large and small employer tiers were unified in 2025. Minnesota bans tip credits, so tipped workers earn the full rate before tips. Minneapolis and St. Paul pay $16.37.
Under state law, the 48 hour count uses actual hours worked. Vacation, holiday and sick leave hours do not count toward the threshold, a detail that surprises workers switching from PTO heavy schedules.
Gross = (40 × rate) + (hours over 40 × rate × 1.5)
| Rule | Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Overtime rule | FLSA: 1.5 times pay after 40 hours for covered employers; state law: 1.5 times after 48 hours otherwise |
| Minimum wage 2026 | $11.41 an hour for all employers, no tip credit; Minneapolis and St. Paul $16.37 |
| State income tax | Graduated, 5.35% to 9.85% |
| Claim agency | Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, Labor Standards Division |
| Claim deadline | 2 years, 3 if the violation was willful |
| Worker | Math | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| $20/hr, 45 hours | $800 + 5 × $30 | $950.00 |
| $11.41/hr, 40 hours | 40 × $11.41 | $456.40 |
| $26/hr, 52 hours | $1,040 + 12 × $39 | $1,508.00 |
| $16.37/hr Minneapolis, 40 hours | 40 × $16.37 | $654.80 |
Example 4 uses the Minneapolis city rate of $16.37, which beats the state floor by nearly $5 an hour. Twin Cities workers should always check the city rate before the state rate.
Most workers are 40 hour workers. The federal FLSA reaches employers with $500,000 or more in annual sales plus hospitals, schools, government agencies and many others through individual coverage. The 48 hour state line matters mainly for small employers outside that reach, so most Minnesota paychecks follow the 40 hour rule.
Healthcare has an 8 and 80 option. Minnesota lets healthcare facilities use a 14 day work period by agreement, with 1.5x after 8 hours in a day and after 80 hours in the period. Nurses should check which system their employer uses; our nurses 8 and 80 guide explains it.
No tip credit statewide. Minnesota is one of the few states that ban tip credits entirely. Every tipped worker earns the full minimum wage in cash, plus tips.
The federal baseline is explained in the FLSA overtime rules guide. For a neighboring Midwest state, see the Illinois overtime calculator.
Both exist. Federal law requires 1.5x after 40 hours and covers most employers. Minnesota state law requires 1.5x after 48 hours for employers outside federal coverage. The standard that favors the employee applies.
$11.41 an hour for all employers, effective January 1, 2026. There is no tip credit. Minneapolis and St. Paul set higher city rates of $16.37.
With the Labor Standards Division of the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. Wage claims generally must be filed within 2 years, or 3 if the violation was willful.
Yes. Minnesota has a graduated income tax from 5.35% to 9.85%, among the highest top rates in the country, and overtime wages are taxed like regular wages.
Yes. Minnesota bans tip credits, so tipped employees must receive the full $11.41 an hour in wages, with tips on top.
No. Overtime is based on actual hours worked. Vacation, holiday and sick leave hours do not count toward the 40 or 48 hour thresholds.
Rates and rules checked against these sources in November 2026.
Want the same math without the Minnesota framing? Use the overtime pay calculator. For a neighboring Midwest state, try the Illinois overtime calculator.