Wage and hour rules for employees in Vermont — overtime, minimum wage, meal and rest breaks and the final paycheck — compared with federal law, with links to the official sources.
Vermont minimum wage
$14.42 per hour as of July 1, 2026 (federal: $7.25).
Adjusted annually by formula.
Federal law The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
Vermont meal breaks
Employees are to be given 'reasonable opportunities' during work periods to eat and use toilet facilities in order to protect the health and hygiene of the employee.
Coverage: Universal application.
Federal law Federal law does not require meal breaks. A bona fide meal period (usually 30 minutes or more) when the employee is completely relieved from duty does not have to be paid.
Vermont rest breaks
Employees are to be given "reasonable opportunities" during work periods to eat and use toilet facilities in order to protect the health and hygiene of the employee.
Coverage: Applicable to all employers of one or more employees within the state.
Federal law Federal law does not require rest breaks. Short breaks (usually 5 to 20 minutes), when offered, count as hours worked and must be paid.
Vermont final paycheck
Fired or laid off: Must be paid within 72 hours of discharge. Quit: Must be paid on the last regular payday, or the following Friday if there is no regular payday. No distinction for notice.
Citation: 21 V.S.A. § 342(b)
Federal law Federal law does not require immediate payment of final wages; they are due by the next regular payday.
Same as federal law
- Overtime
- State law also requires overtime at 1.5× the regular rate after 40 hours in a workweek. Coverage and exemptions can differ from federal law.
Find your state labor department (U.S. Department of Labor directory). Data last reviewed September 28, 2026.