Intro to Kentucky Labor Laws

The minimum wage in Kentucky is $7.25 per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage. 

Kentucky also has overtime requirements that stipulate employers must pay overtime to employees who’ve worked over 40 hours in a workweek. 

References: Kentucky Wages and Hours(opens in a new tab)

Kentucky follows the federal minimum exempt requirement of $684 per week or $35,568 per year for most exemptions from minimum wage & overtime.  

References: Federal Minimum Exemption Threshold(opens in a new tab)

In Kentucky, employees are entitled to a paid 10-minute break for every four hours of work and a reasonable meal break between the third and fifth hour of their shift, unless an alternative time has been mutually agreed upon. Employees under the age of 18 must be given at least a 30-minute meal break after every five hours of work.

Under the Kentucky Pregnant Workers Act (KY PWA), employers with 15 or more employees must provide reasonable accommodation related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. This can include allowing frequent or longer breaks, granting time off, modifying work schedules or job responsibilities, and providing a private space to pump breast milk that isn’t a bathroom. 

References: Kentucky Pregnant Workers Act(opens in a new tab)