The Alabama Labor Law Guide

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer can legally pay a nonexempt employee. The federal rate sets a floor, and states, cities, and regions can adopt their own.

Alabama has no state minimum wage law. Employers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) follow the federal minimum wage.

That comes to $7.25 per hour for most employees.

Under the FLSA, Alabama employers may pay tipped employees a federal base cash wage of at least $2.13 per hour.

The cash wage plus tips has to reach at least the federal minimum of $7.25 per hour. If tips plus the base wage fall short of $7.25 for any hour worked, the employer is legally required to make up the difference.

Alabama has no state overtime law, so employers follow the federal overtime rules under the FLSA.

Non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a standard workweek are entitled to overtime. Most must be paid one and one-half (1.5) times their regular rate for every hour worked over 40 in a workweek.

Alabama wage and hour law generally does not require employers to provide meal periods or breaks to employees 16 and over, so the federal rule applies.

If an employer does offer breaks, short ones (usually under 20 minutes) must be paid. Meal or lunch periods (typically 30 minutes or more) do not have to be paid, as long as the employee is completely relieved of all duties and free to do as they wish.

Vacation leave

Alabama does not require paid time off. Employers can offer vacation leave at their discretion.

Paid sick leave

Alabama has no state paid sick leave laws.

Holidays

As of January 2026, Alabama law does not require private employers to provide paid or unpaid holiday leave.

Permits needed for child labor

Alabama employers who employ minors under 18 must obtain the appropriate Child Labor Certificate(s) for each location where the minor works.

• A Class I Child Labor Certificate is required for each location employing minors ages 14 to 15.
• A Class II Child Labor Certificate is required for each location employing minors ages 16 to 17.

Employers must also keep on file a complete list of all employees ages 14 and 15, with a limited exception for agricultural service occupations.

Records employers must keep

For each employee under age 19, employers must keep a separate file on their premises for at least three years. At a minimum it includes: name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, date of hire, proof of age, school of attendance, specified time records, and any other information the Alabama Department of Labor may require.

Late-night work restriction (enrolled students)

A 16-, 17-, or 18-year-old enrolled in any public or private primary or secondary school may not work between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. on any night before a school day. The county or city superintendent of schools (or the school headmaster, if there is none) may grant exemptions.

Hours for minors 14 to 15 when school is in session

Minors 14 to 15 cannot work during school hours unless they have completed the course of study required for secondary schools and received a recommendation from the local superintendent of education plus approval by a child labor inspector.

During a regular school session, they cannot work:

• More than 3 hours on any school day
• More than 8 hours on a non-school day
• More than 6 days in any one week
• More than 18 hours in any school week
• Before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m.

Hours for minors 14 to 15 during summer vacation

During summer vacation (or where the minor has completed the course of study required for secondary schools), minors 14 to 15 cannot work:

• More than 8 hours per day
• More than 6 days in any one week
• More than 40 hours in any one week
• Before 7:00 a.m. or after 9:00 p.m.

Break rule for minors 14 to 15

No 14- or 15-year-old may be employed for more than five consecutive hours without a documented meal or rest period of at least 30 minutes.