2020 Oklahoma Minimum Wage
The 2020 Oklahoma Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2020-01-01Source: Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)Verified 2026-08-30
Compared with 2019
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2019.
| Item | 2019 | 2020 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Employers in Oklahoma subject to the state minimum wage law
What changed this year, and why
The Oklahoma minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, equal to the federal minimum wage. The rate was the same in the prior year.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Oklahoma?
- The Oklahoma minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, matching the federal minimum wage.
- Must all employers in Oklahoma pay the minimum wage?
- Not all employers are required to pay it. State law applies to employers covered by certain thresholds such as having a minimum number of full-time employees, grossing above a set annual amount, or engaging in interstate commerce.
When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage
Oklahoma sets its state minimum wage equal to the federal rate, which for 2020 is $7.25 per hour. State law does not allow cities or counties to set a different minimum wage for employers within their boundaries. This means that whether an employee works in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, or any smaller municipality, the lowest lawful hourly rate remains $7.25. Local governments cannot require employers to pay more than that floor, nor can they set a lower rate. Workers in Oklahoma should therefore expect that the minimum wage is uniform across the state. Any employer who pays less than $7.25 per hour to a covered nonexempt employee is violating state law unless a specific federal exception applies, such as the tip credit or a certificate issued under federal law for certain student or disability workers. Employees who believe their wages fall below the required rate may contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor for guidance.
The Oklahoma minimum wage is equal to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. 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. Nor may municipalities establish mandatory vacation or sick leave days for employers to pay or grant employees.
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. Instead, overtime protections for Oklahoma workers come from the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Under that federal law, nonexempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek must receive overtime pay. The overtime premium is calculated at one and one-half times the employee's regular hourly rate. For an employee earning the Oklahoma minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, the overtime rate would be one and one-half times that amount for each hour worked beyond 40 in the week. Employers in Oklahoma who are covered by federal wage and hour laws must follow this requirement even though the state itself has not enacted a separate overtime statute. Workers who believe they are owed overtime pay in Oklahoma should contact the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division, since Oklahoma defers to federal rules on this issue rather than enforcing its own standard.
Is overtime pay required? 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. Contact the U.S. Department of Labor for more information.
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, if an employee's wages are refused after asking the employer, the worker should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division. The local number is 405-521-6100, and there is also a toll-free statewide number: 1-888-269-5353. This is the state agency responsible for handling complaints about unpaid wages, minimum wage violations, and related issues under Oklahoma law. For detailed information about exempt employees and minimum wage questions, the Employment Standards Division at the same department can also be reached at 1-888-269-5353. Workers in Oklahoma should gather documentation such as pay stubs, time records, and any written communications with their employer before filing a complaint. The department can advise whether the claim falls under state or federal jurisdiction and direct the worker to the appropriate process. Employees who are unsure whether their employer is covered by state law or federal law should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor first for guidance.
14. What should an employee do if he/she has wages past due from an employer? 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 sets its minimum wage equal to the federal rate, which is $7.25 per hour. In some states, the state minimum wage exceeds the federal floor, and workers in those states receive the higher amount. Oklahoma is not one of those states. Because the Oklahoma rate matches the federal rate exactly, workers here receive $7.25 per hour as their minimum, with no additional state-level increase on top. The rule means that for most covered nonexempt employees in Oklahoma, the effective minimum is the same as what federal law requires nationwide. If the federal rate were ever to increase while Oklahoma kept its rate tied to the federal level, the state rate would rise with it. Until that occurs, employers in Oklahoma must pay at least $7.25 per hour, and workers should look to federal standards for overtime rules, tip credits, and exemptions, since the state defers to the federal framework on minimum wage issues rather than setting a more protective standard of its own.
The Oklahoma minimum wage is equal to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. 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. Nor may municipalities establish mandatory vacation or sick leave days for employers to pay or grant employees.
Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
For employees in Oklahoma who receive tips, the minimum wage rules work through a tip credit mechanism governed by federal law. Under this system, the maximum tip credit against the minimum wage is $5.12 per hour. This means employers must pay tipped employees at least $2.13 per hour in direct wages, and may count tip earnings toward the balance of the $7.25 minimum wage obligation. If an employee's tips combined with the $2.13 direct wage do not equal $7.25 per hour for that work period, the employer must make up the difference. The tip credit rules apply to any employee in Oklahoma who falls under the jurisdiction of federal wage laws. Workers who receive tips should keep records of their tip income to ensure they are receiving at least the full minimum wage when tips and direct wages are combined. Employers who fail to make up the shortfall are in violation of the wage requirement. Questions about tip credits and minimum wage obligations in Oklahoma can be directed to the Oklahoma Department of Labor.
12. How does the minimum wage apply when tips, gratuities, meals or lodging is received by an employee? 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 make certain deductions from employee wages, but only under specific conditions. Mandatory deductions such as tax withholdings are permitted without employee consent. For all other deductions, the employee must provide written consent before the employer may withhold money from a paycheck. Permissible voluntary deductions may include repayment of loans or advances, payment for uniforms or merchandise, contributions to benefit plans, and compensation for losses caused by the employee. However, any deduction that would reduce an employee's pay below the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for hours worked in that pay period is not allowed. The deduction agreement must be in writing and signed by the employee before any deduction is taken. Oklahoma law limits the scope of permissible deductions, and employers who make unauthorized deductions may be subject to investigation and enforcement action by the Oklahoma Department of Labor. Workers who believe their employer has made improper deductions should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division for guidance.
10. Can an employer deduct money from wages? 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
Oklahoma's minimum wage is tied to the federal rate, which for 2020 is $7.25 per hour. The state does not set its own separate minimum wage that is lower or higher than the federal floor. Instead, Oklahoma simply adopts the federal amount as the state standard. This means that if the federal minimum wage were ever to drop below $7.25, Oklahoma workers would still be protected at $7.25 because the state has chosen to mirror that level. Conversely, if the federal rate increases, the Oklahoma rate increases with it automatically. For covered employers in Oklahoma, the rule is straightforward: pay at least $7.25 per hour to nonexempt employees, unless a specific federal exemption applies. Workers in Oklahoma should understand that their minimum wage protection comes from the alignment of state and federal law, not from a separate state statute that sets a different amount. Disputes about wages below this level are handled by the Oklahoma Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor, depending on the employer's coverage.
The Oklahoma minimum wage is equal to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. 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. Nor may municipalities establish mandatory vacation or sick leave days for employers to pay or grant employees.
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