Tennessee · updated 2026-10
Tennessee 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.
Tennessee has no state overtime law; federal FLSA overtime (1.5x after 40/week) applies to covered employers.
Federal FLSA rule. source
Meal break
30 min
Yes: 30 minutes for shifts over 6 hours, usually unpaid. 30-minute unpaid meal or rest period for employees scheduled 6 consecutive hours (Tenn. Code Ann. 50-2-103(h)); may not be scheduled in or before the first hour. Exception for workplaces that by nature give ample opportunity to rest (e.g., food/beverage servers, security guards).
Rest breaks
Not required
Tennessee 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; FLSA $7.25 applies to covered employers. Tipped cash wage per FLSA $2.13.
Tennessee time card
| Day | Clock in | Break min | Clock out | Hours |
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Tennessee pay and break questions
When does overtime start in Tennessee?
Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek. Tennessee has no separate state overtime law, so the federal FLSA rule applies. Tennessee has no state overtime law; federal FLSA overtime (1.5x after 40/week) applies to covered employers.
Are lunch breaks required in Tennessee?
Yes: 30 minutes for shifts over 6 hours, usually unpaid. 30-minute unpaid meal or rest period for employees scheduled 6 consecutive hours (Tenn. Code Ann. 50-2-103(h)); may not be scheduled in or before the first hour. Exception for workplaces that by nature give ample opportunity to rest (e.g., food/beverage servers, security guards).
Are rest breaks required in Tennessee?
Tennessee 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 Tennessee?
$7.25 an hour (since 2009-07-24). No state minimum wage law; FLSA $7.25 applies to covered employers. Tipped cash wage per FLSA $2.13.
Workers under 18 in Tennessee
Teens have extra limits on hours and times of day, and may need a work permit. See Tennessee teen work rules and which employers hire at 14 and 15.
Questions or a complaint? Contact the Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development.