The current minimum wage in Columbus, Ohio is $10.10 per hour for non-tipped employees. Tipped employees in Columbus earn a minimum wage of $5.05 per hour, plus tips. The minimum wage in Columbus is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. However, it is lower than the current minimum wage in some other major cities, such as Seattle ($15.75 per hour) and San Francisco ($16.07 per hour).
The minimum wage in Columbus has increased several times in recent years. In 2019, the minimum wage was raised from $8.55 per hour to $9.30 per hour. In 2020, the minimum wage was raised to $10.10 per hour. The minimum wage in Columbus is scheduled to increase again in 2024. Under a bill passed by the Ohio legislature in 2022, the minimum wage will increase to $10.50 per hour on January 1, 2024, and then to $11.00 per hour on January 1, 2025. The livable wage in Columbus is generally considered to be $15 per hour for a single adult and $30 per hour for a family of four. Some workers who earn minimum wage may not be able to afford to meet their basic needs. The number of workers earning minimum wage in Columbus is estimated to be 100,000.
The livable wage in Columbus is higher than the minimum wage. This means that some workers who earn minimum wage may not be able to afford to meet their basic needs.
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.
Still have questions?
Learn more about paying, hiring, and retaining the hourly workforce
We're here to help!
A Workstream hiring specialist can help you identify high impact ways to improve your applicant experience, and even help you determine what is a good hourly wage for your location and business.
