Statutory minimum wage in Ohio (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Ohio has a state minimum wage of $11.00 per hour for employers with annual gross receipts of $405,000 or more, and $7.25 per hour for smaller employers. The rate is adjusted annually under a set formula.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $11.00 per hour [1] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | For 14- and 15-year-old workers, and for employees of businesses below the gross-receipts threshold ($405,000 in 2026, $420,000 from 1 January 2027), the state minimum wage is tied to the federal $7.25 per hour; the $11.00 rate (2026) applies to larger businesses. [2] |
| Overtime payEmployees | Time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek, with the exemptions and methods of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. [3] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | No. State law says no political subdivision may set a minimum wage rate different from the state rate. [4] |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | $5.50 per hour cash wage in 2026, rising to $5.70 on 1 January 2027 (businesses with annual gross receipts above the state threshold). [2] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | 1 January 2027 [2] |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | $11.40 per hour [2] |
Notes
- Applies to employers with annual gross receipts of $405,000 or more; $7.25 per hour for smaller employers. The rate is adjusted annually under a set formula.
- From 1 January 2027 the state rate applies to businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $420,000; smaller businesses and 14- and 15-year-olds stay at $7.25.
Sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: State Minimum Wage Laws (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Ohio Department of Commerce: Ohio Minimum Wage to Increase by 3.5% in 2027 (Internet Archive snapshot of 6 October 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Ohio Legislative Service Commission: Ohio Revised Code 4111.03 Overtime (Internet Archive snapshot of 22 May 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Ohio Legislative Service Commission: Ohio Revised Code 4111.02 Minimum wage (Internet Archive snapshot of 18 May 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Ohio and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | Yes (state law) | $11.00 per hour (larger employers) | Federal $7.25 for ages 14-15 and small businesses | 1 January 2027 | $11.40 per hour |
| Indiana | Yes | $7.25 per hour | Employers may pay $4.25 per hour to employees under 20 years of age for the first 90 consecutive calendar days after the employee is initially employed by the employer. | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Kentucky | Yes | $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Michigan | Yes | $13.73 per hour | 85% under 18; $4.25 first 90 days under 20 | 1 January 2027 | $15.00 per hour |
| Pennsylvania | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| West Virginia | Yes (state law) | $8.75 per hour | $6.40 training wage under 20 for 90 days | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Ohio
- Cannabis
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph; 35 mph on some state routes · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 55 mph
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16 (probationary licence; full at 18) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 15 yrs 6 mths (temporary permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Three classes · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes, from licensed retailers · Minimum age to buy: 18
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Not a weapon unless used as one
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned (calls at the ear allowed) · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Only children under 16
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (sales to under 21 banned) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (sales to under 21 banned)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.