The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) prescribes standards for wages and overtime pay, which affect most private and public employment.

The act is administered by the United States Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. Employers are required to pay covered employees who are not otherwise exempt at least the federal minimum wage and overtime pay of one-and-one-half-times the regular rate of pay.

For nonagricultural operations, it restricts the hours that children under age 16 can work and forbids the employment of children under age 18 in certain jobs deemed too dangerous.

For agricultural operations, it prohibits the employment of children under age 16 during school hours and in certain jobs deemed too dangerous.