What is the minimum wage in Oklahoma?

Name: 2021 Oklahoma Minimum Wage
Creator: DOL

The Oklahoma minimum wage is $7.25 per hour for 2021, equal to the federal minimum wage. Municipalities may not set their own minimum wage rates.

2021 Oklahoma Minimum Wage

The 2021 Oklahoma Minimum Wage is $7.25.

Hourly$7.25

Effective 2021-01-01Source: Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)Verified 2026-08-30

Compared with 2020

Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2020.

Item	2020	2021	Change
Hourly	$7.25	$7.25	+$0 (+0.0%)

Who it applies to

Oklahoma employers covered by state or federal wage and hour laws.

What changed this year, and why

The Oklahoma minimum wage is $7.25 per hour for 2021, the same as the federal minimum wage. Oklahoma law ties the state minimum wage to the federal rate, and municipalities may not set their own minimum wage rates. The rate was also $7.25 per hour in 2020.

Common questions

What is the minimum wage in Oklahoma?: The Oklahoma minimum wage is $7.25 per hour for 2021, equal to the federal minimum wage. Municipalities may not set their own minimum wage rates.

When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage

Oklahoma's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. However, some cities or counties may want to set a higher minimum wage for workers in their area. While local governments in some states can establish minimum wage rates that exceed the state or federal level, Oklahoma law restricts this ability. Municipalities in Oklahoma may not set mandatory minimum wage rates that differ from the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. This means that workers across the state are subject to the same baseline wage standard, regardless of where they live or work within Oklahoma. Employers must pay at least $7.25 per hour to all non-exempt employees. If a worker believes they are being paid less than this amount, they can contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor to file a complaint.

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's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and the state has no separate overtime law. However, Oklahoma employers who are subject to federal wage and hour laws must pay overtime to non-exempt employees. Under federal rules, workers must receive one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for hours worked beyond a full workweek. For most employees, this means overtime is due when they work more than 40 hours in a seven-day work period. Oklahoma does not impose its own overtime premium requirement, so the federal standard is what protects workers in the state. If an Oklahoma employer meets the federal coverage thresholds—such as having annual gross revenues over a certain amount or being engaged in interstate commerce—that employer must pay the overtime premium. Workers who believe their overtime pay is incorrect can contact the U.S. Department of Labor or the Oklahoma 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

Oklahoma's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. If you have questions about this rate or believe your employer is not paying correctly, you can contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor. For wage complaints and detailed information about exempt employees, workers should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Employment Standards Division at 1-888-269-5353, which is toll-free statewide. When wages are refused after an employee asks the employer for payment, the employee should reach out to this division to file a complaint. For workers covered by federal wage laws, the U.S. Department of Labor also has offices in Oklahoma that handle wage complaints. Both agencies can investigate claims of unpaid wages and help workers understand their rights under state and federal law. Employers who fail to pay the required minimum wage or who owe back wages may face penalties. Workers should keep records of hours worked and wages received to support any wage claim they may need to file.

For further detailed information on exempt employees regarding minimum wage, please contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Employment Standards Division, 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 is $7.25 per hour, which equals the federal minimum wage. When both federal and state minimum wage laws apply, employers must pay the higher of the two rates. In Oklahoma's case, the state and federal rates are the same, so workers receive $7.25 per hour. Some states set their minimum wage above the federal level, and in those cases, employers must pay the higher state rate. However, if a state's minimum wage is lower than the federal rate, the federal rate still applies because federal law sets the floor. Oklahoma has chosen to match the federal minimum wage rather than set a different rate. Employers in Oklahoma who are covered by federal wage and hour laws must pay at least $7.25 per hour to all non-exempt employees. Workers who believe they are being paid less than this amount should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor for assistance.

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

Oklahoma's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. For employees who receive tips, the employer may use a tip credit toward meeting the minimum wage obligation. Under federal wage laws that apply in Oklahoma, employers must pay tipped employees at least $2.13 per hour in direct wages. The employer can then count tip earnings toward the balance of the minimum wage, up to a maximum tip credit of $5.12 per hour. This means the employer's direct wage payment plus the tips received must equal at least $7.25 per hour. If an employee's tips combined with the $2.13 direct wage do not reach $7.25 per hour, the employer must make up the difference. The same principle applies when employers provide meals or lodging—these benefits may be counted toward the minimum wage obligation, but only if they meet specific requirements under federal and state law. Workers who believe their tips or benefits are not being counted correctly should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor.

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

Oklahoma's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. Oklahoma law allows employers to make deductions from employee wages, but only under specific conditions. An employee must provide written consent before an employer may deduct wages from a paycheck, except for mandatory deductions such as tax withholdings. However, these deductions cannot reduce an employee's pay below the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for all hours worked in a pay period. Employers who furnish uniforms may take credit against wages for the reasonable cost of providing those uniforms, but this credit also cannot bring the employee's effective hourly rate below $7.25. Each paycheck must include an itemized statement showing all deductions made. If you believe your employer has made improper deductions that have reduced your pay below the legal minimum, you should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division to file a complaint.

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 $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal minimum wage rate. When a state sets its minimum wage lower than the federal rate, the federal rate still applies to covered employers. Under federal law, employers who are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act must pay at least the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, regardless of what the state rate might be. Oklahoma has chosen to set its state minimum wage at the same level as the federal rate, so workers in Oklahoma receive $7.25 per hour. If Oklahoma were to lower its minimum wage below the federal level, covered employers would still be required to pay $7.25 per hour because federal law sets the minimum floor. Some limited exceptions exist for very small employers not engaged in interstate commerce, but most workers in Oklahoma are protected by the federal rate. Employers must pay the higher of the two rates when both state and federal laws apply, which in Oklahoma's case means $7.25 per hour.