Noncompete agreement laws by state (2026)
Whether your employer can make you sign a noncompete, and the pay thresholds and job types that are protected.
General information only, not legal, insurance or financial advice. Not affiliated with any government agency. Rules have exceptions; open your state for details and the law it comes from.
Noncompete rules: map
- Allowed if reasonable (33)
- Restricted by pay level or job (13)
- Banned (5)
Full table
| State | Noncompetes |
|---|---|
| Alabama Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Alaska Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Arizona Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Arkansas Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| California | Banned |
| Colorado Single detailed source | Restricted by pay level or job |
| Connecticut Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Delaware Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| District of Columbia Single detailed source | Restricted by pay level or job |
| Florida Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Georgia Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Hawaii Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Idaho Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Illinois | Restricted by pay level or job |
| Indiana Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Iowa Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Kansas Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Kentucky Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Louisiana Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Maine | Restricted by pay level or job |
| Maryland Single detailed source | Restricted by pay level or job |
| Massachusetts Single detailed source | Restricted by pay level or job |
| Michigan Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Minnesota | Banned |
| Mississippi Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Missouri Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Montana Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Nebraska Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Nevada Single detailed source | Restricted by pay level or job |
| New Hampshire Single detailed source | Restricted by pay level or job |
| New Jersey Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| New Mexico Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| New York Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| North Carolina Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| North Dakota | Banned |
| Ohio Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Oklahoma | Banned |
| Oregon Single detailed source | Restricted by pay level or job |
| Pennsylvania Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Rhode Island Single detailed source | Restricted by pay level or job |
| South Carolina Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| South Dakota Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Tennessee | Restricted by pay level or job |
| Texas Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Utah Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Vermont Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Virginia Single detailed source | Restricted by pay level or job |
| Washington | Restricted by pay level or job |
| West Virginia Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Wisconsin Single detailed source | Allowed if reasonable |
| Wyoming | Banned |
How we checked this
Rules come from Foley & Lardner's July 2026 federal and state overview, with 2026 pay thresholds from law firm updates and full bans checked against two other 2026 trackers. Last checked: November 12, 2026. Laws change; confirm with the state agency or a licensed professional before acting.
Cross-checked sources agree Checked on official source confirmed on a government, court or legislature site Single detailed source one detailed table built from statutes or official data Under review sources disagree; read the note and the law.