Is Oklahoma's minimum wage different from the federal minimum wage?

Name: 2022 Oklahoma Minimum Wage
Creator: DOL

Oklahoma's minimum wage is set by state law to equal the federal minimum wage. In 2022 it was $7.25 per hour, unchanged from 2021. Municipalities may not set a different minimum wage.

2022 Oklahoma Minimum Wage

The 2022 Oklahoma Minimum Wage is $7.25.

Hourly$7.25

Effective 2022-01-01Source: Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage Law and Administrative Rules (Oklahoma Department of Labor)Verified 2026-09-01

Compared with 2021

Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2021.

Item	2021	2022	Change
Hourly	$7.25	$7.25	+$0 (+0.0%)

Who it applies to

Employers in Oklahoma covered by state wage law

What changed this year, and why

Oklahoma's minimum wage in 2022 is $7.25 per hour, matching the federal rate.

Common questions

Is Oklahoma's minimum wage different from the federal minimum wage?: Oklahoma's minimum wage is set by state law to equal the federal minimum wage. In 2022 it was $7.25 per hour, unchanged from 2021. Municipalities may not set a different minimum wage.

When a city or county sets a higher minimum wage

In Oklahoma, the minimum wage equals the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Local cities and counties are not allowed to set their own mandatory minimum wage rates that differ from this amount. This means workers across the state are covered by the same baseline pay floor regardless of which municipality they work in. Employers in Oklahoma must pay at least $7.25 per hour, and no local government can require them to pay more. If a city or county tried to pass an ordinance setting a higher local minimum wage, it would not be enforceable because state law preempts local wage-setting on this issue. Employees who believe they are being paid less than $7.25 per hour should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor to file a complaint.

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.
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, employers in Oklahoma that are covered by federal wage and hour laws must pay overtime at one and one-half times the employee's regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a seven-day work week. Most employers in Oklahoma fall under the Fair Labor Standards Act because they are engaged in interstate commerce or meet federal coverage thresholds. If an Oklahoma worker is not receiving overtime premium pay for hours beyond 40 in a work week, they can contact the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division to file a complaint. State law does not provide a separate overtime standard, so the federal rule is the one that applies to workers in Oklahoma.

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

If an employer in Oklahoma refuses to pay wages that are past due, the employee should first ask the employer directly. If that does not resolve the issue, the employee should contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage & Hour Division at 405-521-6100 or toll-free statewide at 1-888-269-5353. This agency handles wage complaints and can investigate whether an employer has failed to pay at least the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour or has otherwise violated state wage laws. Workers in Oklahoma do not need to hire a lawyer to file a wage complaint. The Oklahoma Department of Labor can also provide information about exempt employee classifications and other employment standards. For issues covered by federal law, workers may also contact the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. Either agency can help Oklahoma workers understand their rights and pursue unpaid wages.

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

In Oklahoma, the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. When both state and federal minimum wage laws apply, the law that provides the greater benefit to the employee controls. Since Oklahoma's minimum wage equals the federal rate, workers are entitled to at least $7.25 per hour under either standard. If Oklahoma were to set a higher minimum wage in the future, employers would be required to pay that higher rate. If the federal government raises its minimum wage above the state level, the federal rate would apply. Employers in Oklahoma must comply with whichever standard—state or federal—is most favorable to their workers. The Oklahoma Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor both enforce minimum wage requirements, and workers can contact either agency with questions or complaints about their pay.

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, employers may take a tip credit of up to $5.12 per hour against the minimum wage obligation. This means employers can pay tipped employees as little as $2.13 per hour in direct wages, as long as the employee's tips bring their total earnings up to at least $7.25 per hour. If an employee's tips combined with the $2.13 hourly wage do not reach $7.25, the employer must make up the difference. This tip credit provision applies to employees covered by federal wage laws. Oklahoma workers who receive tips should track their earnings carefully to ensure they are receiving at least the full minimum wage when tips and direct wages are combined. Questions about tip credits can be directed to 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

Under Oklahoma law, an employer may not take money out of an employee's paycheck unless the deduction is required by legislation or a court order, or unless the employee has voluntarily agreed to it in a written payroll deduction agreement. A voluntary deduction agreement may cover things like repayment of a loan or advance, purchase of merchandise or uniforms, insurance premiums, contributions to a deferred compensation plan, or compensation for breakage, inventory shortages, or cash shortages the employee caused. But even when a worker agrees in writing, the employer cannot use a deduction to bring the employee's pay below $7.25 per hour for the hours worked that pay period. Every pay statement in Oklahoma must include an itemized list showing what was deducted. An Oklahoma worker who believes the employer has made an unlawful deduction can contact the Oklahoma Department of Labor Wage and 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

In Oklahoma, the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal rate. When a state's minimum wage is lower than the federal rate, the federal rate applies because employers must pay the higher of the two. Oklahoma's rate has not been set above the federal floor, so Oklahoma workers are covered by the $7.25 federal minimum wage. The Fair Labor Standards Act requires employers to pay at least the federal minimum wage, and no state can authorize payment below that level. Workers in Oklahoma should expect to be paid at least $7.25 per hour, and if an employer tries to pay less, the employee can file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor.