2016 Oklahoma Minimum Wage
The 2016 Oklahoma Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2016-01-01Source: Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)Verified 2026-08-30
Compared with 2015
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2015.
| Item | 2015 | 2016 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Oklahoma employers subject to state or federal wage and hour law
What changed this year, and why
The Oklahoma minimum wage for 2016 is $7.25 per hour, equal to the federal minimum wage. The 2015 hourly minimum wage was also $7.25.
Common questions
- Does an employer covered by federal wage and hour laws also need to comply with the Oklahoma minimum wage?
- Yes. Oklahoma's minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage, so an employer covered by federal wage and hour laws is already meeting the state requirement. An employer that is not covered by federal law must still pay the state minimum wage if it meets certain thresholds for number of employees, annual gross revenue, or involvement in interstate commerce.
- Can a municipality in Oklahoma set a different minimum wage?
- No. Oklahoma municipalities are prohibited from setting their own mandatory minimum wage rates that differ from the state and federal minimum wage.
When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage
In Oklahoma, cities and counties cannot set their own minimum wage rates. State law prohibits municipalities from establishing minimum wages that differ from the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. This means that even if a local government wanted to require employers to pay more than the state minimum, it cannot do so. All employers in Oklahoma, regardless of which city or county they operate in, must pay at least $7.25 per hour. Workers in Oklahoma cannot rely on local ordinances to secure a higher minimum wage, because the state has preempted local governments from setting their own wage floors. The only minimum wage that applies throughout Oklahoma is the state minimum, which matches the federal rate.
Municipalities may not establish mandatory minimum wage rates for employers to pay or grant employees that differ from the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)
Overtime is paid at one and one-half times the regular rate
Oklahoma does not have its own state overtime law. However, when an employer is required to comply with federal wage and hour laws, overtime must be paid at one and one-half times the employee's regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a seven-day work week. This means that most Oklahoma workers who are covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act are entitled to overtime pay when they work more than 40 hours in a week. The overtime premium is calculated based on the employee's regular hourly rate, not the minimum wage. Employers in Oklahoma who are not subject to federal wage laws are not required by state law to pay overtime, but the majority of businesses fall under federal coverage and must follow the federal overtime rules. Workers with questions about overtime pay should contact the U.S. Department of Labor.
Oklahoma has no state overtime laws. However, if a company is required to comply with federal wage and hour laws, time and one-half should be paid to cover employees for all hours worked over 40 hours in a seven-day work week.
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
If an employee in Oklahoma believes they have not been paid the correct minimum wage or has wages past due from an employer, they should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division. This is the state agency responsible for enforcing Oklahoma's wage laws. The division can be reached by phone or through the department's offices. When wages are refused after an employee asks the employer for payment, the Oklahoma Department of Labor is the appropriate place to file a complaint. The agency has authority to investigate wage claims and take action when employers fail to comply with state wage requirements. Workers in Oklahoma should direct their wage complaints to this state agency rather than to local government offices or other state departments.
If wages are refused after an employee asks the employer, the employee should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
When both state and federal minimum wage laws apply, the law that provides the greater protection to the employee controls. In Oklahoma, the state minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal minimum wage. Because the rates are equal, Oklahoma workers are entitled to at least $7.25 per hour under both state and federal law. If Oklahoma were to set a higher minimum wage than the federal rate, employers would have to pay the higher state amount. Conversely, if the federal rate were raised above Oklahoma's state rate, the federal amount would apply. The principle is that employees always receive the benefit of whichever minimum wage is higher, whether it comes from state or federal law. In Oklahoma's current situation, both rates are the same, so workers receive $7.25 per hour.
Unless otherwise covered by federal wage and hour laws, an Oklahoma employer must comply with the minimum wage1 as long as the company has at least 10 full-time employees and/or grosses more than $100,000 annually and/or is involved in interstate commerce.
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
When an employee in Oklahoma receives tips, meals, or lodging as part of their job, these can count toward the employer's minimum wage obligation, but only under specific conditions. For workers covered by federal wage laws, the maximum tip credit is $5.12 per hour. This means the employer must pay at least $2.13 per hour in direct wages, and can apply the employee's tip earnings toward the remaining balance needed to reach $7.25 per hour. If the employee's tips combined with the $2.13 direct wage do not equal $7.25 per hour, the employer must make up the difference. Oklahoma employers may also take credit against wages for the reasonable cost of furnishing meals or lodging to employees, or for providing uniforms. These credits allow the employer to count the value of these benefits toward meeting the minimum wage requirement, but the employer must still ensure the employee receives at least the minimum wage when all compensation is calculated together.
For any employee falling under the jurisdiction of federal wage laws, the maximum tip credit against the minimum wage is $5.12 per hour. Employers must pay tipped employees at least $2.13 per hour and may apply tip earnings toward the balance of the minimum wage obligation.
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)
What an employer may deduct from your pay
In Oklahoma, employers can make certain deductions from an employee's wages, but only with the employee's written consent. The employee must provide written agreement before the employer may deduct amounts from a paycheck. However, this requirement does not apply to mandatory deductions such as tax withholdings, which are required by law. Without written consent, an employer cannot deduct money for things like uniforms, equipment, or cash register shortages if those deductions would reduce the employee's pay below the minimum wage. Oklahoma law requires that deductions be limited in scope and must comply with the state's administrative rules. Employers who make unauthorized deductions can be subject to penalties and may be required to repay the wages to the employee.
Deductions can be legal, depending upon the circumstances. An employee must provide written2 consent before an employer may deduct wages from a paycheck, except for mandatory deductions including tax withholdings, etc.
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
In Oklahoma, the state minimum wage is set at $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal minimum wage. Because the state rate is not higher than the federal rate, the federal minimum wage applies. When a state sets its minimum wage below the federal floor, employers in that state must still pay at least the federal amount. In Oklahoma's case, since the state rate equals the federal rate, workers are covered at $7.25 per hour. Employers cannot pay less than this amount based on the argument that Oklahoma's own statute sets a lower rate. The federal wage serves as the baseline, and Oklahoma employers must comply with it for all covered employees.
The Oklahoma minimum wage is equal to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)
- Hourly
The Oklahoma minimum wage is equal to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Other years
Every Oklahoma Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state