Missouri’s minimum wage has reached $15 an hour, but a new proposal from Republican Sen. Joe Nicola would allow businesses to pay employees under 18 a lower rate of $12.30 an hour. Critics say the measure could reduce teen pay and increase wage disparities across the state.
The proposal has drawn criticism from workers and families, who note that teens often contribute to household expenses such as rent and groceries. The bill is currently in a Senate committee, and if it advances, the full chamber could debate the appropriate pay for entry-level work.
What the bill would do
According to the Missouri Senate, SB 1325 would establish a sub-minimum wage for minor employees, defined as anyone under 18. Employers could pay these workers no less than $12.30 an hour or the federal minimum wage, whichever is higher. The bill amends section 290.502 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri to include the youth sub-minimum wage alongside the state’s standard minimum wage provisions.
Where it stands
Legislative records show that SB 1325 was prefiled in December and received a committee hearing on Feb. 4, 2026. As per LegiScan, the bill is pending in the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee, where senators have heard testimony but have not yet voted on advancing it.
Supporters and opponents
Sen. Nicola told First Alert 4 that he believes the change balances fair pay for teen workers with the differences between entry-level jobs and full-time adult employment. Business groups supporting the bill say a lower youth rate would help maintain teen hiring amid rising overall labor costs.
Opponents say the carveout could create a two-tier wage system that lowers pay for younger workers and affects families who rely on teen income. Drew Amedei, a Missouri resident, told the station that he and his family depended on those wages, noting that reducing teen pay would have a direct financial impact on some households.
Local and national context
Missouri voters approved a minimum wage increase by ballot measure, and the rate reached $15.00 per hour on Jan. 1, as reported by the Missouri Department of Labor. State officials and lawmakers say the increase has created added pressure for smaller employers operating on thin margins.
At the same time, the number of teen workers has declined. Research from the University of Missouri Extension shows that the state’s 16- to 19-year-old population fell by about 15 percent over the past decade, reducing the pool of young people available for entry-level jobs.
National context factors into the debate as well. Analysis from the Economic Policy Institute shows that 34 states and Washington, D.C., have some form of youth-specific wage rule. Combined with Missouri-focused research from the University of Missouri Extension, the data highlight the balance lawmakers are considering between maintaining teen job opportunities and ensuring those jobs provide meaningful pay.
What happens next
If the Senate Economic and Workforce Development Committee votes to advance SB 1325, the bill would move to the full Senate for debate and a final vote. The Missouri Senate’s bill summary notes that the measure is still in the early stages, and its progress will depend on advocacy from business groups and opposition from critics.
