Ohio Department of Commerce Director Kimberly Zurz

Ohio's current minimum wage is $7.00 per hour for non-tipped employees and $3.50 per hour for tipped employees, plus tips. 

On January 1st, 2009, the increased minimum wage will apply to employers who gross more than $267,000 per year.  Currently, Ohio's minimum wage applies to employers who gross over $255,000 per year.

The constitutional amendment passed by voters in November 2006 states that Ohio's minimum wage shall increase on January 1st of each year by the rate of inflation.  The increase is tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for urban wage earners and clerical workers for the 12-month period prior to September.   The CPI rose 4.6 percent from September 1st, 2007 to August 31st, 2008.  The amendment also states that the wage rate shall be rounded to the nearest 5 cents. 

For employees at smaller companies (grossing $255,000 or less per year or $267,000 or less after January 1st, 2009) and for 14- and 15-year-olds, the state minimum wage is currently $6.55 per hour and will increase to $7.25 per hour on July 24th, 2009.