The Kentucky Labor Law Guide

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

Kentucky has a state minimum wage law (KRS 337.275), but it is tied to the federal minimum wage, so the state rate mirrors the federal $7.25 per hour.

Local cities and counties in Kentucky generally do not set their own higher minimum wage rates.

Tipped minimum wage is the lowest hourly cash wage for employees who earn a big share of their pay through tips.

Employers may take a tip credit, but tips plus the $2.13 cash wage must equal at least the full minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Kentucky overtime generally follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), with a state-specific rule for employees who work seven consecutive days.

Standard rule: non-exempt employees earn time and a half (1.5x) their regular rate for every hour worked over 40 in a workweek.

7th consecutive day rule: under KRS 337.050, if an employee works all seven days in a single workweek and more than 40 hours in total, they must be paid time and a half (1.5x) for all hours worked on that 7th day.

• If an employee works seven days but stays at or under 40 total hours (for example, short shifts every day), the 7th-day premium does not apply. Overtime already paid for the same hours under another law or contract counts toward it, so those hours are not paid twice.
• This 7th-day provision does not apply to employees serving as supervisors, superintendents, or foremen.

Kentucky has state break laws that are stricter than federal law.

Rest breaks (paid): employers must provide a paid rest period of at least 10 minutes for every 4 hours worked.

Meal breaks (unpaid): employers must provide a reasonable meal period (typically 30 minutes) as close to the middle of the shift as possible.

• Timing: the meal break cannot come sooner than the 3rd hour nor later than the 5th hour of the shift.
• Pay: the meal break does not have to be paid if the employee is completely relieved of all duties.

Waiver of the meal break:

• Mutual agreement: the meal break requirement may be waived if there is a mutual agreement between the employer and the employee.
• Best practice: the statute does not explicitly mandate a written form, but a written waiver is highly recommended to prove the agreement was voluntary and not coerced.
• Revocability: an employee generally has the right to revoke this waiver at any time.

Vacation leave

Kentucky does not require private employers to provide paid or unpaid vacation leave. Employers may offer it at their discretion.

Paid sick leave

Kentucky has no state law requiring private employers to provide paid or unpaid sick leave.

Holidays

Kentucky state law does not require private employers to provide paid or unpaid holiday leave.

Kentucky child labor laws are stricter than federal law for minors aged 16 and 17.

Minors ages 14-15

• School days: max 3 hours per day.
• School weeks: max 18 hours per week.
• Non-school days: max 8 hours per day.
• Non-school weeks: max 40 hours per week.
• Time: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (extended to 9:00 PM from June 1 through Labor Day).
• Cannot work during regular school hours.

Minors ages 16-17

• School days: max 6 hours per day.
• School weeks: max 30 hours per week. Minors may work more than 30 hours if they provide a Certificate of Satisfactory Academic Standing and a Parent/Guardian Statement of Consent.
• Non-school weeks: no restrictions on hours when school is not in session.

Time of day:

• School nights: 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM (preceding a school day).
• Non-school nights: 6:00 AM to 1:00 AM (preceding a non-school day).

Breaks for minors

Minors under 18 must receive a 30-minute documented lunch period for every 5 hours of continuous work (KRS 339.270). Employers are required to record the start and end time of this meal period.