Can my employer pay me based on the number of pieces produced?

Some workers are paid by the number of pieces (or items) that they produced.  They must still be paid at least the minimum wage.  In order to calculate use this formula: (pre-tax wages on paycheck) divided by (the number of hours worked during the pay period) = hourly wage. That hourly wage must at least be $7.70 for workers in Missouri.

To learn more about laws around wages see our wage theft page.

What's Missouri's minimum wage?

While the federal minimum wage is $7.25, in Missouri the minimum wage is $7.70. Employers must pay overtime (time and a half) when an employee works more than 40 hours in a work week.  An employer who fails to pay minimum wage or overtime violates the law even if the employee has agreed to be paid less. 

To read more information about Missouri minimum wage and wage laws click here. 

I work for tips, can my job pay me less than minimum wage?

Tipped workers can be paid the “sub-minimum wage” ($3.85 in Missouri for most employers) but only if the worker makes enough in tips and wages combined to equal the minimum wage of $7.70 per hour.  All tips received belong to the employee, not the employer, even when they exceed the minimum wage.  Tips may only be pooled among those workers who typically receive tips.  More information may be found here about minimum wage laws and your rights as an employee.