The minimum wage in Ohio is $11.00 per hour for employers grossing $405,000 or more. Employers below that threshold and employees under 16 are subject to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Tipped employees must be paid at least $5.50 per hour, but employers must ensure wages and tips combined equal at least the minimum wage.
A guide to hourly labor laws in Ohio
- Employers grossing $405,000+: $11.00.
- Employers grossing less than $405,000: $7.25 (federal rate applies).
- Employees under 16: $7.25 (OH DoC) (Ohio Rev. Code § 4111.02) (29 US Code § 206).
- Minors under 18: A 30-minute break for five work hours.
- Adults: No state or federal law requiring meal breaks. Federal law allows unpaid, non-working, bonafide meal breaks over 30 minutes; exceptions may apply (29 C.F.R. § 785.19) (DoL). (Ohio Rev. Code § 4109.07).
- School session: No working during school hours; up to three hours per day and 18 hours per week. Only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
- Non-school session: Up to eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Only between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. (Ohio.gov) (Ohio Rev. Code § 4109.01 et seq.) (29 C.F.R. § 570.35).
- School session: Up to eight hours per day and 40 days per week. Not before 6 a.m. or 7 a.m. if employed after 8 p.m. the last night. Not after 11 p.m. before school days. No hourly limitation per day or week. Non-school session: No daily or weekly hour limitations (Ohio.gov) (Ohio Rev. Code § 4109.01 et seq.) (29 C.F.R. § 570.35).
What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
What is a good hourly wage?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?
It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.
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