The Arkansas Labor Law Guide

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer can legally pay employees. The federal rate serves as a baseline, and states, cities, and regions can adopt their own higher rates.

In Arkansas, the current rate is $11.00 per hour for most employees.

Tipped minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate for nonexempt employees who earn a significant portion of their income through tips.

Arkansas sets it at $2.63 per hour for most employees.

Tips must be enough to bring the employee up to the applicable hourly minimum wage. If they are not, the employer is responsible for the difference.

In Arkansas, non-exempt employees who work over 40 hours in a workweek are entitled to overtime pay.

Most nonexempt employees receive 1.5 times their regular rate for every hour worked over 40 in a workweek.

Arkansas wage and hour law does not require employers to provide meal or rest breaks, except for children under 16 employed in the entertainment industry. See the child labor section below for details.

Vacation leave

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

Paid sick leave

Arkansas law does not require private employers to provide paid sick leave.

Holidays

Arkansas does not require paid or unpaid holiday leave. Employers can offer it at their discretion.

General rules and work permits (including minors under 14)

State and federal law govern the hours and types of work permitted for minors. As of August 1, 2023, Arkansas no longer requires general child labor work permits for minors to be employed.

The one exception is the entertainment industry: no child 16 years of age or younger may be employed in the entertainment industry without an entertainment work permit issued by the Director.

Minors under 16 (14- and 15-year-olds)

An employer cannot employ a child under 16 for:

• More than 8 hours in any day.
• More than 48 hours in any week.
• More than 6 days in any week.
• Before 6:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m.

Exception: on nights preceding non-school days, minors under 16 may work until 9:00 p.m.

Minors under 17 (16-year-olds)

An employer cannot employ, permit, or suffer a 16-year-old to work:

• More than 10 consecutive hours in any day.
• More than 10 hours in any 24-hour period.
• More than 54 hours in any week.
• More than 6 days in any week.
• Before 6:00 a.m. or after 11:00 p.m.

Exceptions for non-school days: 16-year-olds may work until 12:00 midnight on nights preceding non-school days. They may also work between 12:00 midnight and 6:00 a.m. on nights preceding non-school days, provided the work is not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law and is not in restricted circumstances (including, but not limited to: businesses serving alcohol, establishments lacking direct adult supervision, work as a delivery person, or truck stops and service stations).