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Ohio minimum wage in 2026
The Ohio Department of Commerce’s 2026 minimum wage poster sets the state rates. The U.S. Department of Labor’s state table, updated July 1, 2026, lists Ohio at the same $11.00 rate for employers at or above the $405,000 gross-receipts threshold and the federal $7.25 rate below it. Check the 2026 Ohio minimum wage poster and the U.S. Department of Labor state minimum wage page for updates.
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| Worker or employer situation | 2026 rate | Conditions stated on the poster |
|---|---|---|
| Covered, non-tipped employee | $11.00 per hour | Employer has annual gross receipts of $405,000 or more. |
| Tipped employee (employer uses the tip credit) | $5.50 per hour plus tips | Direct wages plus tips must total at least the applicable minimum wage, which is $11.00 for covered employers. |
| Employee of an employer with annual gross receipts below $405,000 | $7.25 per hour | The poster states this is the current federal minimum wage. |
| Employee under age 16 | $7.25 per hour | The poster states this is the federal rate for under-16 workers. |
Which rate applies to you
- Start with age. If the worker is under 16, the rate is $7.25 per hour.
- Next, check the employer’s annual gross receipts. Below $405,000, the rate is $7.25 per hour.
- If neither applies, the rate is $11.00 per hour. If the employee is tipped and the employer takes the tip credit, the direct wage can be $5.50 per hour, but direct wages plus tips must still reach $11.00 per hour.
The guidance reviewed for this article does not explain how gross receipts are measured. That question belongs to the wage statute and to the Department of Commerce.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe Attorney General’s employment FAQ still explains the federal baseline on breaks, holidays, and leave. Its minimum-wage figures are outdated, so use the 2026 poster for wage rates.
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Overtime after 40 hours
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4111 sets the general overtime rule. Hours worked over 40 in one workweek are paid at one and one-half times the employee’s wage rate. The count is by workweek, not by the day. A long shift alone does not automatically trigger overtime under the general rule.
The Chapter 4111 text is the source to cite for the general rule. Calculation methods follow federal law, and exemptions for job duties, pay basis, or employer coverage can change the result. Do not assume every employee qualifies.
Agricultural employees
Chapter 4111 states that agricultural employees are not covered by its overtime provision.
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The poster’s $150,000 reference
The 2026 Ohio poster’s overtime sentence reads that employers must pay overtime “except for employers grossing less than $150,000 per year.” That figure does not match the $405,000 gross-receipts threshold printed on the same poster and in the Department of Labor table. Until the discrepancy is resolved against the statute, rely on Chapter 4111 rather than that sentence to decide whether an employer is covered.
Meal and rest breaks
The Attorney General’s employment FAQ states that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) does not generally require meal or rest periods. The sources reviewed for this guide do not establish a general Ohio requirement for them either. Break schedules are therefore usually set by employer policy, a contract, or sector-specific rules. Minor-worker limits are a separate matter, covered below.
Work hours for minors in Ohio
For workers under 16, the hour and time limits are in Ohio Revised Code Section 4109.07. The current text of Section 4109.07 restricts work during school hours, before 7 a.m., and late in the evening. It also caps work at more than three hours on a school day and more than 18 hours in a school week. It sets separate limits for nonschool days. Check the section for the exact nonschool-day limits and the late-evening cutoff, because this guide does not restate those times.
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The amended text effective October 9, 2026
A version of Section 4109.07 is marked effective October 9, 2026, which is the date of this article. The amended text changes the late-evening rule for under-16 workers. It allows a 7 to 9 p.m. shift before a nonschool day with parent or guardian approval. Before applying the change to a schedule, confirm on the codes.ohio.gov page that the amended text is displayed as current, and read the conditions in full.
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Workers aged 16 and 17 who must attend school
Certain 16- and 17-year-olds who are required to attend school are subject to separate restrictions. The guidance reviewed here does not set out those restrictions, so read the section text before scheduling a student in that age group.
Paid sick leave, vacation, and holidays
The FLSA does not require paid vacation, paid holidays, severance, or sick pay, according to the Attorney General’s employment FAQ. Ohio’s leave rules for public employees are set out in Ohio Administrative Code Chapter 123:1-32, which covers sick and personal leave for state employees.
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The sources reviewed do not establish a general paid sick leave requirement for private employers in Ohio. That does not mean no leave rights exist. Leave can come from:
- a local ordinance, which this guide did not verify for any city or county;
- an employment contract or collective bargaining agreement;
- an employer’s written policy or handbook.
Unemployment compensation: the 2026 employer wage base
Ohio’s unemployment compensation law is in Revised Code Chapter 4141. According to the Ohio Legislative Service Commission, the taxable wage base used to calculate employer contributions rose from $9,000 to $9,500 beginning January 1, 2026. That figure applies to employer contributions. It is not an individual claimant’s weekly benefit amount or an eligibility threshold.
What this guide does not cover
The sources reviewed do not establish the current procedures for the topics below. Each is handled by a specific Ohio agency, and that agency’s guidance should be used rather than general summaries.
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Discrimination and accommodation
Contact the Ohio Civil Rights Commission for current rules, filing steps, and deadlines.
Workers’ compensation claims
Contact the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation for claim procedures and eligibility.
Unemployment claims
Filing steps, deadlines, eligibility rules, and benefit calculations are not covered here. Contact the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.
Required workplace notices
The minimum wage poster is one notice, but this guide did not establish the complete list of required workplace postings. Confirm the full set with the Ohio Department of Commerce before assuming a workplace is compliant.
Quick Recap
Official sources
- Ohio Department of Commerce, 2026 Minimum Wage Poster
- U.S. Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026
- Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 4111, Minimum Fair Wage Standards
- Ohio Revised Code, Section 4109.07 current text and text effective October 9, 2026
- Ohio Revised Code, Chapter 4141, Unemployment Compensation
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