Can cities or towns in Oklahoma set their own minimum wage?

Oklahoma municipalities are not permitted to set a minimum wage that differs from the federal rate.

2019 Oklahoma Minimum Wage

Name: 2019 Oklahoma Minimum Wage
Creator: DOL

The 2019 Oklahoma Minimum Wage is $7.25.

Hourly$7.25

Effective 2019-01-01Source: Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)Verified 2026-08-30

Compared with 2018

Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2018.

Item	2018	2019	Change
Hourly	$7.25	$7.25	+$0 (+0.0%)

Who it applies to

Oklahoma employers subject to state wage and hour law

What changed this year, and why

Oklahoma's minimum wage matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for 2019, unchanged from 2018.

Common questions

What is the minimum wage in Oklahoma?: The Oklahoma minimum wage is equal to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
Can cities or towns in Oklahoma set their own minimum wage?: Oklahoma municipalities are not permitted to set a minimum wage that differs from the federal rate.

When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage

In Oklahoma, the minimum wage matches the federal rate of $7.25 per hour. Cities and counties in the state are not allowed to set their own minimum wage rates that are higher or different from this federal amount. This means workers across Oklahoma are covered by the same $7.25 hourly floor regardless of which municipality they work in. Local governments also cannot require employers to provide mandatory paid vacation or sick leave days. If you work in Oklahoma, your employer must pay you at least $7.25 per hour, and no city or county ordinance can change that requirement upward or downward.

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, if your employer is covered by federal wage and hour laws, you must receive overtime pay at one and one-half times your regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a seven-day work week. This means most workers in Oklahoma are entitled to overtime pay at time and one-half when they work more than 40 hours per week, but the requirement comes from federal law rather than state law. If you believe you have not been properly paid overtime, you should contact the U.S. Department of Labor for assistance.

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

In Oklahoma, questions about minimum wage and other labor law issues can be directed to the Oklahoma Department of Labor. If you believe your employer has violated wage laws, including failing to pay the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, you can file a complaint with the Oklahoma Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor. The Oklahoma Department of Labor enforces state wage laws and can investigate complaints about unpaid wages, improper deductions, and other wage violations. For issues involving federal wage and hour laws, such as overtime requirements, you should contact the U.S. Department of Labor. Both agencies can provide information about your rights and help resolve wage disputes for Oklahoma workers.

Contact the U.S. Department of Labor for more information.
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)

State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate

In Oklahoma, the state minimum wage equals the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Federal law requires employers to pay the higher of the federal or state rate, but when both rates are the same, workers receive that single amount. Oklahoma's rate does not exceed the federal floor, so employees covered by both laws are paid $7.25 per hour. This alignment means there is no difference between what state and federal law require for Oklahoma workers. If you work in Oklahoma, you are entitled to at least $7.25 per hour under both state and federal law.

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

Under Oklahoma law, an employer may pay a tipped employee as little as $2.13 per hour in direct wages, as long as the employee's tips bring total earnings up to at least $7.25 per hour. The maximum tip credit an employer may take against the minimum wage is $5.12 per hour. This rule applies to employees covered by federal wage laws. If the employee's tips combined with the $2.13 hourly wage do not reach $7.25 per hour in a workweek, the employer must make up the difference. Workers in Oklahoma who receive tips should track their hourly tip income to ensure they are receiving at least the full minimum wage when tips and the lower cash wage are combined.

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 employee wages, but only under specific conditions. Before an employer can make deductions from your paycheck, you must provide written consent. The only exceptions are mandatory deductions like tax withholdings, which are required by law. This means your Oklahoma employer cannot take money from your wages without your written permission unless it is for legally required deductions. Every payment of wages must include an itemized statement showing all deductions made. If you believe improper deductions have been made from your wages in Oklahoma, you can file a complaint with the Oklahoma Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor for investigation.

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 minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal rate. When a state sets a rate lower than the federal minimum, employers must still pay the higher federal amount. Since Oklahoma's rate equals the federal floor, workers receive $7.25 per hour regardless. Federal law establishes the baseline protection, and employers cannot pay less than this amount even if state law were to set a lower rate. Oklahoma workers are protected by the federal minimum wage requirement, ensuring they receive at least $7.25 per hour for their work.