Dealing With Unpaid Wages in Nevada
My employer hasn't paid me — here's what Nevada law says and what to do next.
Statute: Nev. Rev. Stat. § 608.020
Deadline: 7 days
Penalty: Employer may be liable for wages owed plus a penalty equal to the employee's daily wages for each day payment is delayed, up to thirty (30) days, plus attorney fees and costs
What is dealing with unpaid wages?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Your employer must pay you at least this amount for every hour you work. Many states and cities have higher minimum wages — you're entitled to whichever is higher.
Tipped employees have a lower federal minimum ($2.13/hr), but your tips plus wages must equal at least $7.25/hr. If they don't, your employer must make up the difference.
What to Do If Your Employer Pays Below Minimum Wage
Step 1: Know your rate. Check your state and city minimum wage — it's often higher than the $7.25 federal rate.
Step 2: Calculate your actual hourly pay. Divide your total weekly pay by total hours worked. If it's below the minimum, you have a claim.
Step 3: Document everything. Save pay stubs, schedules, and any records of hours worked.
Step 4: File a complaint. Contact the DOL Wage and Hour Division or your state's labor department. Many employment attorneys handle wage cases on contingency.
How Nevada differs from federal law
Nevada's minimum wage is set in the state constitution:
- $12.00/hr as of July 2024 (uniform rate — the previous two-tier system based on employer-provided health benefits was eliminated)
- Nevada does not allow a tip credit — tipped employees must be paid the full minimum wage
- The minimum wage is constitutionally mandated and adjusted annually
- No local jurisdictions have enacted higher minimums — state law preempts local wage ordinances
- Nevada's gaming and hospitality industries employ a large portion of minimum-wage workers
Additional steps in Nevada
File wage complaints with the Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner at (702) 486-2650 or labor.nv.gov.
What you should NOT do
Don't accept illegal deductions. Your employer cannot deduct for cash register shortages, breakage, or uniforms if it would bring your pay below minimum wage.
Don't ignore tip credit violations. If you're a tipped employee and your tips + base pay don't reach $7.25/hr, your employer must pay the difference.
Don't sign away your rights. Any agreement to work for less than minimum wage is unenforceable under federal law.
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Generate your unpaid wages →This page is general legal information for Nevada, not legal advice for your specific situation. Laws change, and how a statute applies depends on facts we don't know. For advice on your matter, consult a licensed attorney in Nevada.