Minimum Wage $11.00 PER HOUR
As of January 1, 2026, Ohio's minimum wage is $11.00 per hour for employers with annual gross receipts of $405,000 or more. Employees of smaller employers and workers under 16 are generally covered by the federal $7.25 minimum wage.
Ohio allows a tip credit. Tipped employees may be paid a direct cash wage of at least $5.50 per hour, but tips must bring the worker's total pay to at least $11.00 per hour. If tips do not cover the difference, the employer must make up the shortfall.
Overtime Laws 1.5X RATE
Ohio has its own overtime law, but it generally tracks the FLSA. Most non-exempt employees must receive one and a half times their regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
At Ohio's $11.00 minimum wage, the overtime rate is $16.50 per hour. Overtime is calculated by workweek, not by day. An employer cannot average two workweeks together to avoid overtime.
Meal & Rest Breaks NO ADULT MANDATE
Ohio does not generally require meal or rest breaks for adult employees. Break rights may still come from an employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement, or workplace policy.
Ohio does require a rest period of at least 30 minutes for minors who work more than five consecutive hours. When an employer provides short rest breaks to adult employees, those breaks are usually paid under federal wage rules.
Final Paycheck PROMPT PAY ACT
Ohio employers must pay wages on regular paydays, generally at least twice per month. When earned wages remain unpaid beyond the scheduled payday and there is no good-faith dispute, Ohio's Prompt Pay Act may apply.
If wages remain unpaid for more than 30 days beyond the regularly scheduled payday, the employer may owe liquidated damages of six percent of the unpaid amount or $200, whichever is greater, when the statutory conditions are met.
Filing a Claim 2-3 YEAR WINDOW
Ohio minimum wage claims under the Ohio Constitution and implementing laws generally have a three-year window. Ohio overtime claims and federal FLSA claims may have different deadlines, including a two-year period that can extend to three years for willful FLSA violations.
Ohio minimum wage remedies can be significant. In some cases, workers may recover back wages, an additional two times the back wages as damages, costs, and reasonable attorney's fees.
Ohio Wage Remedies BACK WAGES + 2X
Ohio's minimum-wage protections can provide stronger state-law remedies than the federal baseline. When an employer violates Ohio's minimum-wage provisions, damages may include the unpaid wages plus an additional two times the amount of back wages.
Ohio law also protects workers from retaliation for exercising minimum-wage rights. Retaliation remedies can include additional damages designed to compensate the worker and deter future violations.
Employee Misclassification COMMON VIOLATION
Some Ohio employers label workers as independent contractors or exempt employees to avoid paying overtime, payroll taxes, or other wage obligations. A job title, contract, 1099 form, or salary does not automatically decide whether wage protections apply. The actual working relationship, economic realities, and day-to-day duties matter.
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Josephson Dunlap LLP. Wage and hour laws vary by state, and the application of these laws depends on the specific facts of each situation. The figures and information cited above are current as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Prior results in other matters do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter. If you believe your wages were not paid correctly, consult a qualified, licensed employment attorney.
Think You May Be Owed Back Wages?
Josephson Dunlap reviews wage claims for Ohio workers at no cost. There is no fee unless wages are recovered. A case manager will go through your situation and tell you where you stand.