The Kansas Labor Law Guide

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate that employers are legally obligated to pay employees. The federal minimum wage is a wage baseline, but different states, cities, and regions can adopt their own rates. 

$7.25 per hour for most employees (as of 2026)

Compliance Note: Kansas has a state minimum wage law ($7.25), but it applies only to employees not covered by the federal FLSA. Since the rates are currently identical, most employers simply follow the $7.25 federal standard. Local cities/counties in Kansas generally do not set their own higher minimum wage rates.

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Tipped minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate employers are legally obligated to pay employees who earn a significant portion of their income through tips. 

$2.13 per hour for most tipped employees

Compliance Note: Employers may claim a tip credit but must ensure that the employee’s tips plus the cash wage of $2.13 equal at least the full minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. If they do not, the employer must make up the difference.

Kansas has a unique "46-hour" rule that applies only to non-FLSA covered employers.

• Federal Rule (Most Employers): Employers covered by the federal FLSA must pay overtime (1.5x) after 40 hours in a workweek.

• State Rule (Non-FLSA Employers): Employers not covered by the federal FLSA must pay overtime (1.5x) only after 46 hours in a workweek.

Requirement: Kansas law does not require employers to provide meal periods or rest breaks to employees.

Federal Rule: The federal FLSA also does not require breaks.

Pay Rules: If an employer chooses to provide breaks:

• Rest Breaks (roughly 20 min or less): Must be paid and counted as work time.

• Meal Periods (30 min or more): May be unpaid if the employee is completely relieved of all duties.

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In Kansas, Vacation Leave does not require employers to provide paid or unpaid vacation leave.

• Policy Note: Employers may set their own policies. However, if a policy or contract promises paid vacation, Kansas regulators generally enforce the terms of that agreement regarding accrual and payout.

Paid Sick Leave: Kansas has no state law requiring private employers to provide paid or unpaid sick leave.

Holidays: Kansas state law does not require private employers to provide paid or unpaid holiday leave.

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General Overview Kansas generally adopts the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) standards for child labor. Most Kansas employers are covered by the FLSA and must follow its stricter regulations.

Work Permits (State Specific Exception)

• Students: Kansas law does not require work permits for minors under age 16 who are enrolled in or attending secondary school.

• Non-Students: A work permit is required for children under the age of 16 who are not enrolled in or attending secondary school.

Minors Ages 14–15

• Federal Standards (Apply to Most Employers):

  • 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.

  • Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (Extended to 9:00 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day).

• State Standards (Non-FLSA Employers Only):

  • If an employer is not covered by the FLSA, minors under 16 may work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week.

  • Time: 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. when school is in session (Note: This is looser than federal law, so most employers should stick to the federal 7 p.m. limit to be safe).

Minors Ages 16–17

• Hours: There are no state or federal restrictions on the number of hours or times of day minors aged 16 or 17 may work.

• Overtime: Minors aged 16 and older are eligible for overtime pay if they work more than 40 hours in a workweek (or 46 hours if strictly under state law).

• Restrictions: They are prohibited from working in hazardous occupations (e.g., driving, excavation, roofing) as defined by the U.S. Secretary of Labor.

Breaks

• Requirement: Breaks are not required under Kansas state law or federal law for minors.

• Policy: If an employer chooses to provide breaks, breaks lasting 20 minutes or less must be paid.

Hiring: (Anti-Discrimination) The Kansas Act Against Discrimination (KAAD) prohibits discrimination in employment based on:

• Race

• Color

• Religion

• Sex

• National Origin

• Ancestry (Specific to Kansas)

• Disability

• Age (40 and older)

• Genetic Information

Background Checks:

• Criminal History: Kansas has no statewide "Ban the Box" law for private employers. Employers may ask about criminal history but should comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Title VII guidelines regarding disparate impact.

Firing: Kansas is an “at-will” employment state. Employers generally have the right to terminate employees for any reason or no reason, provided the termination is not discriminatory, retaliatory (e.g., for filing a workers' comp claim), or in violation of public policy.