The Ohio Labor Law Guide

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer can legally pay. The federal minimum wage is a baseline, but states, cities, and regions can adopt their own rates.

Ohio's current rate is $11.00 per hour for most employees, effective January 1, 2026. The rate adjusts for inflation every January 1.

The state rate applies to employers with more than $405,000 in annual gross receipts. For employees of smaller businesses, and for 14- and 15-year-olds, the minimum wage is the federal $7.25 per hour.

Local minimum wages (preemption)

Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code 4111.02) prohibits cities, counties, and other political subdivisions from setting their own minimum wage, so the $11.00 rate applies across the state, including Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati.

The tipped minimum wage is the lowest hourly rate an employer can pay employees who earn a significant portion of their income through tips.

Ohio's current rate is $5.50 per hour for most tipped employees.

Employers may pay this lower cash wage only if the employee's tips plus the $5.50 cash wage equal at least the full $11.00 minimum wage for all hours worked. If they do not, the employer must make up the difference.

Ohio's overtime law (Ohio Revised Code 4111.03) follows the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), including its exemptions.

The 40-hour rule

Non-exempt employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular rate of pay for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek.

Who is covered

Ohio's overtime law does not apply to employers with less than $150,000 in annual gross sales. Those employers may still owe overtime under the FLSA if federal law covers them.

Non-exempt minors must be given a 30-minute unpaid break if they work more than 5 consecutive hours. Ohio does not have any additional required rest or meal breaks.

Vacation leave

Ohio does not require employers to provide paid time off. Employers can choose to offer vacation leave at their discretion.

Paid sick leave

Ohio has no state laws requiring private employers to provide paid or unpaid sick leave.

Holidays

Ohio has no state laws requiring private employers to provide paid or unpaid holiday leave.

In Ohio, state laws govern the hours and types of work permitted for minors. Every minor, 14 through 17 years of age, must have a work permit.

• Rest periods: no employer shall employ a minor more than 5 consecutive hours without a rest period of at least 30 minutes.
• Recordkeeping: every employer shall keep a time book or other written record showing the actual starting and stopping time of each work and rest period. These records must be kept for two years.

Laws for minors under 16 years old (14- and 15-year-olds)

An employer cannot employ a child under the age of 16 for:

• More than 3 hours a day in any school day.
• More than 18 hours in any school week.
• More than 8 hours in any day when school is not in session.
• More than 40 hours in any week that school is not in session.
• During school hours except where specifically permitted by law.
• Before 7:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m.

Exceptions:

• Summer and holidays: from June 1st to September 1st, or during any school holiday of 5 school days or more, minors under 16 may work until 9:00 p.m.
• Vocational programs: the 40-hour weekly restriction when school is not in session does not apply if employment is incidental to bona fide programs of vocational cooperative training, work-study, or other work-oriented programs with the purpose of educating students, provided the program meets standards established by the state board of education.

Laws for minors 16 and 17 years old

An employer cannot employ a 16- or 17-year-old child who is required to attend school to work:

• Before 7:00 a.m. on any day that school is in session.
• After 11:00 p.m. on any night preceding a day that school is in session.
• Exception for early mornings: minors 16 or 17 may begin work at 6:00 a.m. on a school day if they were not employed after 8:00 p.m. the previous night.