What employers in Michigan must do
Checked November 8, 2026From the agencies that run each program
Short answer
Employers in Michigan must pay most workers at least $13.73 an hour, rising to $15.00 on January 1, 2027.
Michigan has no state paid family and medical leave insurance program.
The next dated change in Michigan is January 1, 2027: Michigan minimum wage rises to $15.00.
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Michigan requirements at a glance
| Requirement | Status | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | In effect | $13.73 an hour for most workers; $15.00 from January 1, 2027 |
Pay rules Michigan employers must follow
- Paydays
- Any regular schedule: weekly, every two weeks, twice a month or monthly. Weekly or every-two-weeks pay is due within 14 days after the work period ends; monthly pay within 15 days.
- Final paycheck, fired
- By the next regular payday (hand harvesters: within 1 working day).
- Final paycheck, quit
- By the next regular payday (hand harvesters: within 1 working day).
- Meal breaks
- No state requirement for adults.
- Rest breaks
- No state requirement for adults.
- Overtime
- Time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek. The state law covers employers with 2 or more employees.
- New hire reporting
- Within 20 days of the first day of paid work, to the Michigan New Hires Operation Center
From the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Department of Labor’s state tables, checked November 7, 2026.
Upcoming Michigan deadlines
Deadline calendar for every state · How to hire your first employee · Employer law changes for 2027 · All states
Sources
- Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division
- State Payday Requirements (last revised January 1, 2023), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
- Minimum Length of Meal Period Required under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (last revised January 1, 2023), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
- Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (last revised January 1, 2023), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
- State Minimum Wage Laws, including premium (overtime) pay after designated hours (updated November 5, 2026), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
- Wage and Hour FAQ: when does my last paycheck have to be paid?, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
- Payment of Wages and Fringe Benefits Act, Act 390 of 1978 (MCL 408.472, 408.475), Michigan Legislature (read Nov 7, 2026)
- Michigan New Hires Operation Center: user guide, Michigan New Hires Operation Center (Michigan Department of Health and Human Services) (read Nov 8, 2026)
- Wage and Hour FAQ: breaks, meal and rest periods, Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (read Nov 8, 2026)
- MCL 408.934a, Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act (overtime), Michigan Legislature (read Nov 8, 2026)
- MCL 408.932, Improved Workforce Opportunity Wage Act (definitions), Michigan Legislature (read Nov 8, 2026)
- Michigan Child Support Program Quick Reference Guide for Employers (DHS-Pub-95), Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (read Nov 8, 2026)