Louisiana minimum wage and worker rights

Louisiana at a glance

Louisiana is home to about 224,537 foreign-born residents (4.9% of the state’s 4,611,961 people) and 332,716 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (7.2%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in Louisiana regardless of immigration status unless noted.

Minimum wage in Louisiana (official DOL data)

Official source: Department of Labor — State Minimum Wage Laws

DOL updated: January 1, 2026 · Verified on: 2026-05-25

Louisiana has NO state minimum wage law. Employers covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) must pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

Federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour (unchanged since 2009). Applies to FLSA-covered employers when state wage is lower or non-existent.

Basic worker rights (regardless of immigration status)

Under federal law (FLSA) and Louisiana labor laws:

  • ✅ Minimum wage guaranteed
  • ✅ Overtime pay (1.5× over 40 hours/week)
  • ✅ Pay for all hours worked
  • ✅ Safe work environment (OSHA)
  • ✅ Protection against retaliation for reporting violations
  • ✅ Worker’s compensation access if injured at work (depends on state)

Important: These rights apply to ALL workers in the US, including undocumented persons. Immigration status does NOT remove these rights.

Where to report labor abuses in Louisiana

Department of Labor (DOL) — federal

  • Wage and Hour Division (WHD): dol.gov/agencies/whd
  • Phone: 1-866-487-9243 (interpreters in many languages)
  • Does NOT require immigration status verification
  • Can report anonymously

Louisiana Department of Labor

Search “Louisiana Department of Labor” or “Labor Commissioner”.

OSHA (occupational safety)

  • Federal OSHA: osha.gov/complaint
  • Report unsafe environments, unreported accidents, lack of protective equipment

Worker’s Compensation in Louisiana

If injured at work in Louisiana, you have worker’s compensation rights regardless of immigration status. Covers: medical expenses, lost wage pay, permanent disability (if applicable).

Important: Worker’s comp does NOT affect your immigration status. It’s illegal for employer to fire you for filing worker’s comp claim.

ITIN for work

If you earn income in Louisiana and need to file taxes but don’t have SSN, use ITIN.

Last verified: 2026-06-24.

General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.