What’s the minimum wage for servers in Missouri?
The short answer
Missouri at a glance
| Minimum wage | $15.00 | Federal: $7.25 |
|---|---|---|
| Tipped cash wage (paid before tips) | $7.50 | Federal: $2.13 |
| Can tips count toward minimum wage? | Yes | DOL: Yes |
As of the U.S. Department of Labor table revised July 1, 2026. Your city may set a higher rate.
What’s different in Missouri
Missouri ties the tipped wage to the regular minimum by a fixed share. The largest tip credit an employer can claim is 50% of the applicable minimum wage, so your cash floor is always half of whatever the minimum is. That is a very different design from the flat federal $2.13.
There is an important coverage exception. According to the DOL summary, the state law exempts, among others, employees of a retail or service business with gross annual sales of less than $500,000. If you work at a small independent spot, it’s fair to ask your manager which rate you are being paid under.
Missouri’s labor department is the place to confirm coverage. Bring your pay stubs, since a stub showing hours and a $7.50 rate makes the question concrete.
Example shift
Say you work 6 hours and walk out with $120 in tips (illustrative numbers; use your own).
- Wages: $7.50 × 6 = $45.00.
- With tips: $45.00 + $120 = $165.00, or $27.50 an hour.
- If your tips for the week don’t bring you to $15.00 an hour, federal law says your employer has to make up the difference.
Check your own week: Am I being paid at least minimum wage?
Official sources
Last verified
. Checked the U.S. Department of Labor state tables (revised July 1, 2026) and BLS OEWS May 2025.