Overview of Oklahoma's Minimum Wage Requirements
As of the latest updates, the minimum wage requirements in Oklahoma are dependent on the size and gross sales of the employer. For employers with ten or more full-time employees at any one location or employers with annual gross sales over $100,000, the basic minimum rate per hour is $7.25. For all other employers, the basic minimum rate per hour is $2.00.
However, it's crucial to note that the Oklahoma state minimum wage law does not contain current dollar minimums. Instead, the state adopts the federal minimum wage rate by reference. The State law also excludes from coverage any employment that is subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
Understanding Local Minimum Wage Variations
The minimum wage in Oklahoma County, Tulsa County, Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Broken Arrow, and Edmond, as of 2024, is $7.25 per hour, which is the same as the federal minimum wage. This applies to most employees, with exceptions for tipped employees, some student workers, and other exempt occupations. The minimum wage law applies to any employer that grosses $100,000 or more a year, or hires ten or more employees.
However, the minimum wage requirements in Cleveland County, Oklahoma for the year 2023-2024 are dependent on the level of education and months of service. For instance, a Bachelor's degree holder in Agricultural Education with 0 years of experience earns a minimum of $39,601.00 for 10 months and $47,521.20 for 12 months. A Master's degree holder in the same field with 0 years of experience earns a minimum of $40,991.00 for 10 months and $49,189.20 for 12 months. The salary increases with years of experience.
Minimum Wage Eligibility and Exemptions
In the state of Oklahoma, the eligibility for minimum wage and its exemptions are governed by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) policy of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) and the U.S. Department of Labor. The minimum wage in Oklahoma is equal to the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. This applies to companies that have at least 10 full-time employees, gross more than $100,000 annually, or are involved in interstate commerce.
However, there are exemptions to this rule. Employees classified as exempt are not covered by the minimum wage and overtime provisions of FLSA. To qualify as an exempt employee, one must be paid at least $23,600.00 per year ($455.00 per week), be paid on a salary basis, and perform exempt job duties. These duties typically fall under three categories: executive, professional, and administrative.
Minimum Wage Considerations and Compliance Tips
As of January 1, 2024, food business employers in Oklahoma need to be aware of several key minimum wage legal and compliance considerations. The basic combined cash and tip minimum wage rate is $7.25. Employers can count a maximum tip credit of $5.12 towards meeting the minimum wage requirements. The minimum cash wage that must be paid to tipped employees is $2.13. For employers with fewer than 10 full-time employees at any one location who have gross annual sales of $100,000 or less, the basic minimum rate is $2.00 per hour.
The Wage and Hour Unit of the Employment Standards Division enforces Oklahoma's protection of labor and minimum wage acts. It conducts investigations to determine whether employee compensation is owed and due. Employers are required to comply with all federal and state laws regarding compensation. The Wage and Hour Unit investigates the validity of wage claims and pursues payment on behalf of employees when warranted.
FAQs
- What is the current minimum wage in Oklahoma? The current minimum wage in Oklahoma is $7.25 for larger employers and $2.00 for smaller employers.
- Are there any exemptions to the minimum wage in Oklahoma? Yes, certain employees such as bona fide executive, administrative, professional, outside sales employees, and certain computer employees are exempt from both minimum wage and overtime pay.
Information Source Links
- Oklahoma Minimum Wage
- Federal Minimum Wage
- Oklahoma Tipped Minimum Wage
- Wage & Hour Unit
- Oklahoma Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Unit
Learn more about Local Food Delivery Trends and Insights
About Otter
- Increase revenue up to 10% with Marketing*
- Reduce storefront downtime by up to 50% with Live Alerts*
- Increase sales up to 50% with Digital Dine-In's QR code ordering*
- Reduce missed orders to less than 1% with Order Manager's Auto-Accept feature*
- Supercharge your food business with our all-in-one restaurant POS system*