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Minimum Wage in Ohio

Ohio's minimum wage is $11.00 per hour in 2026 ($5.50 cash wage for tipped employees), rising to $11.40 and $5.70 on January 1, 2027.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Ohio at a glance

Minimum wage (per hour)
$11.00
Employers grossing less than $405,000 a year, and employees under 16, are owed the federal $7.25.
Tipped cash wage (per hour)
$5.50
Applies to employees who customarily receive more than $30 a month in tips.
Next scheduled increase
$11.40 on January 1, 2027
The tipped cash wage rises to $5.70. Adjusted every January 1 for inflation under the Ohio Constitution.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Ohio

What is the minimum wage in Ohio in 2026?

Minimum wage (per hour) in Ohio: $11.00. Employers grossing less than $405,000 a year, and employees under 16, are owed the federal $7.25.

What is the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in Ohio?

Tipped cash wage (per hour) in Ohio: $5.50. Applies to employees who customarily receive more than $30 a month in tips.

When is the next minimum wage increase in Ohio?

Next scheduled increase in Ohio: $11.40 on January 1, 2027. The tipped cash wage rises to $5.70. Adjusted every January 1 for inflation under the Ohio Constitution.

Where do the Ohio minimum wage laws come from?

The rules above come from Ohio Const. art. II, sec. 34a and Ohio Rev. Code 4111.02. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

For 2027 the small employer threshold is $419,000 in gross receipts.

The rate is adjusted each January 1 by the CPI-W, rounded to the nearest five cents.

What this means in practice

Check which rate applies before setting pay. Coverage rules, employer size thresholds, and exemptions for certain jobs or industries differ, and a local ordinance may require more than the state rate. The statute linked on each state page is the starting point.

Where a lower tipped cash wage is allowed, the employer usually must make up the difference whenever tips fall short of the full minimum wage for the pay period. Keeping accurate records of hours worked and tips reported helps show that every pay period met the minimum.

Rates can change on fixed dates, often January 1 or July 1, and some states adjust them each year for inflation. Reviewing pay rates, offer letters, and employment contracts ahead of each scheduled change helps avoid underpayment claims.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.