Alabama · updated 2026-10
Alabama Overtime & Break Laws
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek.
Overtime
40h / week
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek.
Alabama has no state wage-and-hour law; the state labor agency refers pay, overtime and break questions to the US DOL Wage and Hour Division. Federal FLSA overtime (1.5x after 40 hours in a week) applies to covered employers.
Federal FLSA rule. source
Meal break
Not required
No state law requires a meal break for adult employees in Alabama; it's up to the employer. If a break is under 20 minutes, federal law treats it as paid work time.
Rest breaks
Not required
Alabama law doesn't require rest breaks for adults. Short breaks an employer does give (5–20 minutes) must be paid under federal rules.
Minimum wage
$7.25
$7.25 an hour (since 2009-07-24). No state minimum wage law; the federal $7.25 applies (tipped cash wage $2.13 under the FLSA). State law bars local minimum wages.
Alabama time card
| Day | Clock in | Break min | Clock out | Hours |
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Alabama pay and break questions
When does overtime start in Alabama?
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek. Alabama has no separate state overtime law, so the federal FLSA rule applies. Alabama has no state wage-and-hour law; the state labor agency refers pay, overtime and break questions to the US DOL Wage and Hour Division. Federal FLSA overtime (1.5x after 40 hours in a week) applies to covered employers.
Are lunch breaks required in Alabama?
No state law requires a meal break for adult employees in Alabama; it's up to the employer. If a break is under 20 minutes, federal law treats it as paid work time.
Are rest breaks required in Alabama?
Alabama law doesn't require rest breaks for adults. Short breaks an employer does give (5–20 minutes) must be paid under federal rules.
What is the minimum wage in Alabama?
$7.25 an hour (since 2009-07-24). No state minimum wage law; the federal $7.25 applies (tipped cash wage $2.13 under the FLSA). State law bars local minimum wages.
Workers under 18 in Alabama
Teens have extra limits on hours and times of day, and may need a work permit. See Alabama teen work rules and which employers hire at 14 and 15.
Questions or a complaint? Contact the Alabama Department of Workforce.