The Louisiana Labor Law Guide

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate that employers are legally obligated to pay employees.

$7.25 per hour (Federal Rate)

Louisiana does not have a state minimum wage law. Employers subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Local cities generally do not set their own higher rates for private employers.

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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

Louisiana follows the federal FLSA standards for tipped employees. Employers may pay a cash wage of $2.13 per hour, provided that the employee’s tips plus the cash wage equal at least the federal minimum wage ($7.25 per hour). If they do not, the employer must make up the difference.

Louisiana does not have its own state overtime laws. Employers must follow the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which generally requires non-exempt employees to receive 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 hours in a workweek.

Minors (Under 16): Must receive a meal period of at least 30 minutes after working 5 consecutive hours.

Adults: There are no state laws requiring meal or rest breaks for adult employees. Federal law does not require them either.

Pay Rules: If an employer chooses to provide breaks:

• Rest breaks (approx. 5–20 minutes) must be paid.

• Bona fide meal periods (typically 30 minutes or more) need not be paid if the employee is completely relieved of duty.

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Vacation Leave: Louisiana law does not require employers to provide paid vacation. If an employer’s policy provides paid vacation and the employee has earned vacation under that policy, accrued unused vacation must be paid out at termination.

Paid Sick Leave: There is no state requirement that private employers provide paid or unpaid sick leave. Local ordinances (e.g., New Orleans) may impose requirements for certain employers.

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General Overview: Louisiana child labor laws are governed by La. R.S. 23:151 to 23:258. Employers must generally obtain and keep an Employment Certificate (work permit) on file for all employed minors.

Minimum Working Age

• Under 12: Employment is prohibited.

• Ages 12–13: Permitted to work only if the minor's parent/guardian is an owner or partner of the business, the minor is directly supervised by them, and all work hour restrictions for 14-year-olds are followed. A special permit is required.

• Ages 14+: General employment permitted subject to hour and occupation restrictions.

Work Hours & Scheduling

• 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.

  • Work Window:

    • 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Day before a school day).

    • 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Day before a non-school day).

  • Weekly Limit: Cannot work more than 6 consecutive days in one week.

  • Break Requirement: Must receive a 30-minute unpaid meal break after working 5 consecutive hours.

• Minors Ages 16–17

  • Curfew (School Nights):

    • 16-year-olds: Prohibited from working between 11:00 PM and 5:00 AM before a school day.

    • 17-year-olds: Prohibited from working between 12:00 AM (Midnight) and 5:00 AM before a school day.

  • Non-School Nights: No hour limitations on days not followed by a school day.

  • Exception: These hour restrictions do not apply to minors who have graduated high school.

Prohibited & Hazardous Occupations Minors are restricted from working in specific dangerous environments, including but not limited to:

• Machinery: Oiling or cleaning machinery; operating power-driven woodworking, bakery, or hoisting machines (elevators).

• Heavy Industry: Mining, logging, excavation, or explosive manufacturing.

• Alcohol: Employment in establishments where alcohol sales are the main business is prohibited (unless the minor is a musician with a written contract under parental supervision).

• Driving: Prohibited generally, with limited exceptions for 17-year-olds (driving cannot exceed 20% of work time/week).

• Other: Commercial commercial motion picture/modeling has specific extended hour allowances (up to 48 hours/week).

Administrative Requirements

Work Permits: Employers must keep an employment certificate for each minor on record. These are obtained by the minor from the parish or city school superintendent and must be signed in front of the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC).

Hiring 

State Employment Discrimination Law: Under the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law (Title 23, § 301 et seq.), employers prohibited from discriminating in hiring, firing, compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment based on the following protected characteristics:

• Race

• Color

• Religion

• Sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions)

• National Origin

• Natural, Protective, or Cultural Hairstyle

• Disability

• Age (40 and older)

• Sickle Cell Trait

• Protected Genetic Information

• Military Status (effective August 1, 2025) 

Excluded from State Protected Class List:

• Political affiliation is not a protected class under the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law, though other Louisiana statutes protect certain political rights (e.g., rights related to voting or running for office). 

Firing
Louisiana is an “at-will” employment state. Employers generally have the right to terminate employees for any reason or no reason, provided the reason is not unlawful (e.g., discrimination, retaliation for whistleblowing, or serving jury duty).