Missouri Revised Statutes §285.055 prohibits Kansas City from setting a minimum wage above the state floor of $12.30 per hour, indexed annually. A 2017 court ruling phased out earlier KC and St. Louis local raises.
Missouri §285.055 expressly preempts cities and counties from establishing a minimum wage that differs from the state rate, currently $12.30 per hour and indexed annually to inflation under Proposition B. Kansas City passed Ordinance 170154 in 2017 raising local minimum wage to $13, but the Missouri Supreme Court upheld the preemption statute, forcing rollback. The state floor applies to most private employers with more than $500,000 in annual gross receipts. Tipped workers receive 50% of the standard minimum, with employers required to make up the difference. KC retains authority to set higher wages for its own contractors and TIF recipients through Living Wage policy.
State Department of Labor investigates wage complaints, orders back pay, and assesses civil penalties up to twice unpaid wages plus interest.
Kansas City, MO
Kansas City's Living Wage ordinance (Ord. 110830) requires city contractors and recipients of significant tax incentives, including downtown hotel TIF projec...
Kansas City, MO
Missouri §285.055 preempts Kansas City from requiring private employers to provide paid sick leave, vacation, or other paid time off benefits beyond what sta...
See how Kansas City's minimum wage preemption rules stack up against other locations.
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