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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Susan 573-751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 24, 2009
Missouri’s Minimum Wage Increases to $7.25
Jefferson City, Mo. - Starting today, Missouri employers with an annual gross income of $500,000 or more are required to pay employees the increased state minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour. Missouri’s minimum wage rate increased by 20 cents from $7.05 to $7.25 as a direct result of the federal minimum wage rate increase also effective today, July 24, 2009. State law requires Missouri’s rate to match that of the federal rate.
Missouri’s minimum wage law applies to all employers except for retail or service businesses who gross less than $500,000 in sales a year. Every covered employer shall pay employees the rate established under the Missouri minimum wage law. Tipped employees must be paid half of the state minimum wage rate of $3.625 per hour. However, if tipped employees do not make up the other half of the minimum wage in tips, the employer is required to pay the difference.
The Department is also required to adjust Missouri’s minimum wage amount each year based on the federal consumer price index. The Department will measure the changes in the consumer price index on September 30, 2009, and the Missouri minimum wage may be increased effective January 1, 2010, based on this measurement. However, a decrease in the customer price index will not cause the state’s minimum wage rate to decrease because the rate cannot be lower than the federal minimum wage amount.
Missouri voters approved changes to the minimum wage law in 2006. Since the effective date of January 1, 2007, the Department has received 1,543 wage complaints from employees resulting in 469 violations and affecting 4,256 employees. The Department of Labor investigates all wage complaints submitted from employees who have not received payment. To file a wage complaint or to learn more about the minimum wage rate, visit www.labor.mo.gov/ls or call 573-751-3403.
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Information and Planning · 421 East Dunklin
· P.O. Box 504 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-0504
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TDD) 1-800-735-2466 (Voice)