Tennessee Overtime Laws 2026: Pay Calculator & FLSA Guide

Tennessee Overtime Pay Rules in 2026

Tennessee is one of 19 U.S. states with no state-specific overtime law. Every private-sector worker in Tennessee relies entirely on the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) for overtime protection. This means time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek — and nothing more.

Tennessee Minimum Wage in 2026

Tennessee has no state minimum wage statute. The state defaults to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009. This makes Tennessee one of the lowest minimum-wage states in America.

| Worker Type | Wage (2026) |

|---|---|

| Non-tipped employees | $7.25/hour (federal) |

| Tipped employees | $2.13/hour + tips (federal) |

| Youth minimum wage (first 90 days) | $4.25/hour (federal) |

With Tennessee's low baseline, the minimum overtime rate is just $10.88/hour ($7.25 × 1.5). However, most Tennessee workers earn above minimum wage, and overtime is calculated on your actual regular rate — not the minimum.

How Tennessee Overtime Works

Because Tennessee has no state overtime statute, the rules are straightforward federal FLSA:

• 1.5× regular rate for all hours over 40 in a workweek
• No daily overtime threshold
• No double-time requirement
• No 7th-day premium

Example — A Nashville warehouse worker earning $18/hour works 48 hours:

• Regular: 40 × $18 = $720
• Overtime: 8 × $27 = $216
• Total: $936

Use our Tennessee Overtime Pay Calculator to check your pay instantly.

Tennessee Is a Right-to-Work State

Tennessee passed a constitutional right-to-work amendment in 2022 (Article XI, Section 12). This does not affect overtime eligibility, but it does mean:

• You cannot be forced to join a union or pay union dues as a condition of employment
• Union contracts with overtime provisions are still valid if voluntarily agreed to
• Right-to-work status does not remove FLSA protections

Tennessee Exemptions

Tennessee follows federal FLSA exemptions exactly:

• Executive, administrative, professional (EAP) — $684+/week AND duties test
• Outside salespeople
• Computer professionals — $27.63+/hour
• Highly compensated employees — $107,432+/year
• Agricultural workers, certain transportation workers, live-in domestic workers

Tennessee Wage Claim Process

Unlike most states, Tennessee has no state labor board that handles private-sector wage and hour complaints. Your options are:

• . File with the federal DOL Wage and Hour Division — covers FLSA violations nationwide
• . File a private lawsuit in federal or state court — you can recover back wages, liquidated damages, and attorney fees
• . Tennessee Department of Human Resources — handles state government employees only

The federal DOL's Nashville and Memphis offices handle Tennessee private-sector complaints.

Tennessee Industries with Common Overtime Violations

The federal DOL regularly recovers unpaid overtime in Tennessee for:

• Nashville hospitality and music venues — unpaid setup and teardown time
• Memphis logistics (FedEx hub) — off-the-clock sorting and security screening
• East Tennessee manufacturing — misclassified independent contractors
• Healthcare (especially rural) — automatic meal deductions when nurses worked through breaks

Tennessee vs. Neighboring States

| State | Daily Overtime | Minimum Wage (2026) | State OT Law |

|---|---|---|---|

| Tennessee | No | $7.25 | No (FLSA only) |

| Kentucky | 7th day only | $7.25 | Yes (KRS 337.050) |

| Virginia | No | $12.41 | No (FLSA only) |

| North Carolina | No | $7.25 | No (FLSA only) |

| Georgia | No | $7.25 | No (FLSA only) |

| Alabama | No | $7.25 | No (FLSA only) |

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Tennessee require overtime pay after 8 hours?

No. Tennessee has no daily overtime law. You only earn 1.5× after 40 hours in a workweek under federal FLSA.

Can my Tennessee employer make me work overtime?

Yes. Tennessee has no law limiting mandatory overtime for adult workers in most industries. The FLSA only requires payment, not limitation of hours.

Does Tennessee have double-time pay?

No. Neither Tennessee nor federal law requires double-time pay, even for holidays or Sundays.

How do I report wage theft in Tennessee?

File a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division at 1-866-487-9243 or online at dol.gov/agencies/whd. Tennessee has no state-level wage enforcement for private employers.

Are salaried employees in Tennessee owed overtime?

Yes, if they earn under $684/week or fail the duties test. Many Tennessee "assistant managers" and "coordinators" are misclassified as exempt.