Oklahoma Minimum Wage 2026: $7.25 per Hour, Tipped Wage $2.13
Oklahoma minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, matching the federal rate. State law covers employers with 10 or more full-time employees or more than $100,000 in annual sales; tipped cash wage is $2.13.
The Oklahoma minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. Oklahoma's statute ties its rate to the federal figure, so the state rate rises only when Congress raises the federal one, and neither has moved since July 24, 2009. The state law applies to employers with at least 10 full-time employees or more than $100,000 in annual gross sales; the Oklahoma Department of Labor notes that smaller employers outside those thresholds are not covered by the state act, though most are still covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. The tipped cash wage is $2.13 per hour.
- Oklahoma's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009, and tracks the federal rate
- State coverage starts at 10 full-time employees or $100,000 in gross sales; the federal law covers most other employers
- Tipped cash wage is $2.13 with a $5.12 tip credit
- Oklahoma has no state overtime law; overtime comes from the federal 40-hour rule
- State law prohibits Oklahoma City, Tulsa and other local governments from setting their own minimum wage
Current Oklahoma Minimum Wage
The Oklahoma Department of Labor's wage and hour FAQ states that the federal and state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has been in effect since July 24, 2009 (the department's page gives the date as 2000 in one place, but the $7.25 rate took effect nationally in 2009). The Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act (Title 40, section 197.1 and following) provides that the state minimum wage equals the current federal minimum wage.
Coverage under the state act is narrower than most states. The department says an Oklahoma employer must comply with state minimum wage laws if the company has at least 10 full-time employees or equivalent and/or grosses more than $100,000 annually. The statute sets a $2.00 per hour minimum for employers that fall outside those thresholds, but that figure is largely theoretical because the federal law covers nearly every employer with employees engaged in interstate commerce, and the federal $7.25 then applies. Employers below the state thresholds should confirm their federal coverage rather than assume the lower figure is available.
Oklahoma Minimum Wage vs Federal Minimum Wage
| Rate | Amount | Effective |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma minimum wage (covered employers) | $7.25 per hour | July 24, 2009 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 per hour | July 24, 2009 |
| Oklahoma tipped cash wage | $2.13 per hour | Follows federal |
| Federal youth wage (under 20, first 90 days) | $4.25 per hour | 1996 |
Because the two rates are identical, employers in Oklahoma follow one number. The practical differences are in coverage and enforcement: the state act is enforced by the Oklahoma Department of Labor for covered employers, and the federal Wage and Hour Division enforces the FLSA. Neighboring states vary widely; see our minimum wage by state guide, which shows Missouri at $15.00, Colorado at $15.16, Arkansas at $11.00, New Mexico at $12.00, and Texas and Kansas at $7.25.
Tipped Minimum Wage in Oklahoma
Oklahoma follows the federal tip credit rules. The US Department of Labor's tipped wage table lists Oklahoma at a $2.13 cash wage with a maximum tip credit of $5.12. If an employee's tips plus the $2.13 cash wage do not average $7.25 per hour over the workweek, the employer must pay the difference. Employers must inform tipped employees of the tip credit in advance, allow them to keep their tips (apart from valid tip pools), and cannot claim the credit for hours spent on non-tipped work beyond the federal limits.
Oklahoma Minimum Wage Increase Schedule
Oklahoma has not raised its minimum wage independently since the state act was tied to the federal rate.
| Effective date | Rate |
|---|---|
| July 24, 2007 | $5.85 (federal step 1) |
| July 24, 2008 | $6.55 (federal step 2) |
| July 24, 2009 | $7.25 (federal step 3) |
| 2010 through 2026 | $7.25, no change |
No increase is scheduled. State Question 832, an initiative to raise the minimum wage to $12.00 in 2027, $13.50 in 2028 and $15.00 in 2029 with inflation adjustments afterward, went to voters on June 16, 2026 and was rejected by 55.37 percent to 44.63 percent. The rate therefore remains $7.25. Employers should watch for new initiative petitions, which can put the question back on a future ballot.
Local Minimum Wages in Oklahoma
Oklahoma law (Title 40, section 160) prohibits municipalities from establishing a minimum wage that differs from the state rate. Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman and every other city follow $7.25, so employers can apply a single rate statewide.
Who Is Covered and Who Is Exempt
Beyond the employee-count and sales thresholds, the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act exempts many of the same categories as federal law: bona fide executive, administrative and professional employees, outside sales staff, agricultural workers, domestic workers, some students and part-time workers under 25 in limited circumstances, and employees of certain small retail and service businesses. Because the state and federal rates are the same, the more important question for most employers is FLSA coverage and exemption. Our guide to exempt vs non-exempt employees explains the salary and duties tests.
Overtime and the Minimum Wage
Oklahoma has no state overtime statute. The Department of Labor notes that time and one half should be paid to non-exempt employees for all hours worked over 40 in the workweek when the company is subject to federal wage and hour laws. There is no daily overtime rule. A minimum wage worker who works 45 hours earns 40 hours at $7.25 ($290.00) plus 5 overtime hours at $10.875 ($54.38), for $344.38 gross.
Our overtime calculator handles any rate, and our guide to overtime pay laws by state compares Oklahoma with states that add daily rules.
What a Minimum Wage Worker Earns in Oklahoma
| Period | Hours | Gross pay at $7.25 |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly | 40 | $290.00 |
| Biweekly | 80 | $580.00 |
| Monthly (average) | 173.33 | $1,256.64 |
| Annual | 2,080 | $15,080.00 |
These are gross figures before taxes. Our explainer on gross pay covers deductions, and the salary to hourly calculator converts any rate.
Employer Compliance Checklist
- Pay at least $7.25 per hour to every non-exempt employee, whether covered by the state act, the federal act or both
- Pay tipped staff at least $2.13 in cash wages, give the required tip credit notice, and make up any weekly shortfall to $7.25
- Do not rely on the $2.00 small employer figure without confirming the business is outside federal coverage
- Apply the federal overtime rule after 40 hours in a workweek
- Post the Oklahoma minimum wage notice and the federal FLSA poster
- Keep accurate time records; a time card calculator or automatic time tracking makes tip credit and overtime documentation simple
Reviewed September 2026
Rates come from the Oklahoma Department of Labor's wage and hour FAQ and the US Department of Labor state and tipped minimum wage tables as of July 1, 2026. Coverage thresholds and the small employer rate are summarized from the department's guidance; confirm your coverage with the department or the federal Wage and Hour Division before relying on an exemption.
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How Oklahoma Compares With Neighboring States
Oklahoma sits at the federal floor along with Texas and Kansas, while three neighbors pay substantially more.
| State | Minimum wage (July 1, 2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | Covered employers: 10 or more employees or $100,000 in sales |
| Texas | $7.25 | Federal rate |
| Kansas | $7.25 | Federal rate |
| Arkansas | $11.00 | Employers with 4 or more employees |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | Statewide; Santa Fe and Albuquerque higher |
| Missouri | $15.00 | Indexed each January |
| Colorado | $15.16 | Indexed each January; Denver higher |
Employers recruiting in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa markets compete with Missouri and Colorado wages for remote roles even though the local floor is $7.25.
Common Minimum Wage Mistakes in Oklahoma
- Relying on the $2.00 small employer figure when the business is covered by the federal law
- Failing to give tipped employees the required tip credit notice
- Assuming Oklahoma has a daily overtime rule; it has no state overtime law at all
- Paying a city rate; Oklahoma preempts local minimum wages
- Missing the federal youth wage limits when paying $4.25 to workers under 20
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Oklahoma in 2026?
$7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage.
Is the Oklahoma minimum wage going up?
No increase is scheduled. The state rate is tied to the federal rate, and State Question 832, which would have raised it to $15.00 by 2029, was rejected by voters on June 16, 2026.
Which employers have to follow the Oklahoma minimum wage law?
Employers with at least 10 full-time employees or more than $100,000 in annual gross sales. Most smaller employers are still covered by the federal law at the same $7.25.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Oklahoma?
$2.13 per hour in cash wages, with tips making up the rest to reach $7.25.
Can Oklahoma City or Tulsa set a higher minimum wage?
No. State law prohibits local governments from setting a minimum wage different from the state rate.
Does Oklahoma have a state overtime law?
No. Overtime in Oklahoma comes from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, which requires time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek.
Is there a youth or training wage in Oklahoma?
The federal youth wage of $4.25 for workers under 20 during their first 90 days applies to FLSA-covered employers.
How much does a full-time minimum wage worker earn in Oklahoma per year?
$15,080 before taxes, based on 2,080 hours at $7.25 per hour.