2018 Oklahoma Minimum Wage
The 2018 Oklahoma Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2018-01-01Source: Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)Verified 2026-08-30
Compared with 2017
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2017.
| Item | 2017 | 2018 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Employers in Oklahoma
What changed this year, and why
Oklahoma's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, equal to the federal minimum wage. Municipalities may not set a different rate.
Common questions
- Can cities in Oklahoma set their own minimum wage?
- Oklahoma cities and towns cannot set their own minimum wage rates that differ from the federal minimum wage.
- Is there a separate minimum wage for tipped employees?
- Yes. Oklahoma employers may pay tipped employees a lower direct wage and apply tip earnings toward the minimum wage obligation, up to a maximum tip credit.
When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage
Oklahoma's minimum wage in 2018 is $7.25 per hour, and it is set at the same level as the federal rate. Oklahoma law does not authorize cities or counties to set a different minimum wage. A municipality in Oklahoma cannot require employers to pay a local rate that is higher or lower than the $7.25 federal figure, and local governments also cannot mandate paid vacation or sick leave. This means that whether you work in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, or any smaller community, the minimum wage you can be paid is the same $7.25 per hour statewide. If a local ordinance attempted to require a different minimum wage, it would be unenforceable under Oklahoma law. Workers who believe they are being paid less than $7.25 should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division for assistance.
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, but employees covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act are entitled to overtime pay. When an Oklahoma employer is subject to federal wage and hour laws, workers must receive time and one-half of their regular rate for all hours worked beyond 40 in a seven-day work week. For an employee earning the $7.25 minimum wage, that means overtime hours must be paid at a premium rate. Oklahoma itself does not require overtime pay for hours worked beyond the federal threshold, and there is no separate state daily overtime standard. If you work in Oklahoma and believe your employer is not paying the required overtime premium, you should contact the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division for more information and to file a complaint.
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 you work in Oklahoma and believe you have not been paid the correct minimum wage of $7.25 per hour or that your wages are past due, the first step is to ask your employer to pay what is owed. If the employer refuses, you should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division at 405-521-6100 or toll-free statewide at 1-888-269-5353. The Oklahoma Department of Labor handles wage complaints for workers in the state. For issues involving federal wage and hour laws, including overtime and minimum wage coverage under the Fair Labor Standards Act, the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division is the appropriate agency. Both agencies can help Oklahoma workers understand their rights and pursue unpaid wages.
If wages are refused after an employee asks the employer, the employee should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division, 405-521- 6100, or toll-free, statewide 1-888-269-5353.
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
Oklahoma's minimum wage in 2018 is $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal floor set under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Oklahoma did not enact a state rate higher than the federal amount. Under federal law, when a state's minimum wage is lower than or equal to the federal rate, the higher federal rate controls. This means Oklahoma employers covered by the FLSA must pay at least $7.25 per hour. The state statute also requires employers meeting certain thresholds to comply with the minimum wage, and since the state rate mirrors the federal one, the $7.25 figure applies uniformly. Workers who believe they are being paid less than $7.25 per hour can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division or the Oklahoma Department of Labor.
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)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
In Oklahoma, for employees covered by federal wage laws, employers may count tips toward the minimum wage obligation. The maximum tip credit is $5.12 per hour, meaning employers must pay tipped employees at least $2.13 per hour in direct wages and may apply tip earnings to reach the $7.25 minimum. If an employee's tips plus the $2.13 direct wage do not equal $7.25 per hour, the employer must make up the difference. Oklahoma also allows employers to take credit for the reasonable cost of furnishing uniforms. The state does not have separate rules for meal or lodging credits beyond what federal law permits. Workers in Oklahoma who receive tips should verify that their total compensation meets the minimum wage requirement each pay period. For questions about tip credits, contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
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 may deduct money from an employee's wages only under certain conditions. An employee must provide written consent before an employer may deduct wages from a paycheck, except for mandatory deductions such as tax withholdings. This means that even if an employee owes money to the employer for uniforms, equipment, or other expenses, the employer cannot simply reduce the paycheck below the $7.25 minimum wage without proper authorization. Every payment of wages must include an itemized statement of deductions so workers can see exactly what was taken from their pay. If you believe unlawful deductions have reduced your pay below the minimum wage in Oklahoma, contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division for assistance. The agency can help workers understand their rights regarding permissible deductions and investigate complaints about illegal wage reductions.
10. Can an employer deduct money from wages?
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
Oklahoma's minimum wage in 2018 is $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal floor under the Fair Labor Standards Act. Under federal law, when a state sets a rate lower than the national minimum, the higher federal rate controls. Oklahoma chose not to establish a rate above that floor, so every covered employer in the state must pay at least $7.25. The Oklahoma statute itself requires employers meeting certain thresholds to comply with the minimum wage, and since the state rate mirrors the federal one, the $7.25 figure applies uniformly. The rule exists so workers are never paid less than the national baseline, regardless of where they live. If you work in Oklahoma and your employer pays less than $7.25 per hour for covered work, you can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, which enforces the federal rate here. The Oklahoma Department of Labor also handles wage questions and can direct you to the right agency.
s 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)
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