October Term 2022 · Docket 21-984
Does a guaranteed weekly minimum count as a salary?
The dispute centers on whether a guaranteed weekly minimum qualifies as a salary under federal labor law.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
The employer claims the employee earned over $200,000 annually.
The employer states the employee supervised a dozen workers.
The employer notes a guaranteed minimum of $963 per week.
The employee argues a daily rate is not a salary basis.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 101, lines 53-51 — Transcript, file page 101, lines 53-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 51-25 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 51-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-9
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
This case tests the definition of a salary for executive employees. The lower court ruled against the employer. The employer seeks reversal. The employee seeks affirmation.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 101, lines 53-51 — Transcript, file page 101, lines 53-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-47
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on October 12, 2022.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 41-49
What each side wants
The employer wants the Court to reverse the lower court decision.
The employee wants the Court to affirm the lower court decision.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 101, lines 53-51 — Transcript, file page 101, lines 53-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-47
What each side says
The employer argues the guaranteed weekly minimum satisfies the salary requirement.
The employee argues a daily rate does not meet the salary definition.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 101, lines 53-51 — Transcript, file page 101, lines 53-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-47
What the justices asked
Justice Jackson asked why the amount is the only relevant marker.
Justice Sotomayor asked how the reading removes the basis concept.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 51-25 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 51-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-9
Why it matters
This case defines the salary requirement for executive employees. It determines who qualifies for overtime exemptions. It affects compensation structures for high earners.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 101, lines 53-51 — Transcript, file page 101, lines 53-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-47
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 27-33 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 27-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 11, lines 39-41 — Transcript, file page 11, lines 39-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 9-9 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 9-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 13, lines 41-53 — Transcript, file page 13, lines 41-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 14, lines 39-27 — Transcript, file page 14, lines 39-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 45-45 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 45-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 15, lines 51-25 — Transcript, file page 15, lines 51-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 11-21 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 11-21
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 6, lines 15-9 — Transcript, file page 6, lines 15-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 51-33 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 51-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 13-13 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 13-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 15-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 15-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 33-35 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 33-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 39-51 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 39-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 55-19 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 55-19
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 9-11 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 9-11
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 71, lines 39-53 — Transcript, file page 71, lines 39-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 31-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 31-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 47-33 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 47-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 41-49 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 41-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 11-35 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 11-35
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 41-9 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 41-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 19-41 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 19-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 45-9 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 45-9
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 101, lines 53-51 — Transcript, file page 101, lines 53-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 101, lines 53-51 — Transcript, file page 101, lines 53-51
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 4, lines 23-13 — Transcript, file page 4, lines 23-13
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 58, lines 11-47 — Transcript, file page 58, lines 11-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 68, lines 25-49 — Transcript, file page 68, lines 25-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 81, lines 39-47 — Transcript, file page 81, lines 39-47
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.