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Ohio Labor Laws 2025

Ohio maintains its own minimum wage with annual inflation adjustments and has specific requirements for minor employees. For most other employment matters, Ohio follows federal standards.

Important: Ohio's minimum wage only applies to employers with gross annual sales over $385,000. Smaller employers follow the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.

Minimum Wage

Ohio has its own minimum wage that adjusts annually based on inflation, exceeding the federal minimum.

Key Requirements

  • State minimum wage: $10.45 per hour (as of January 1, 2025)
  • Tipped employees: $5.25/hour base wage (with tip credit to reach $10.45)
  • Employers with gross receipts under $385,000 follow federal minimum wage ($7.25)
  • Annual adjustments based on Consumer Price Index
  • Applies to businesses with gross annual sales over $385,000

Additional Resources

Overtime

Ohio follows federal overtime requirements under the FLSA.

Key Requirements

  • Overtime pay: 1.5x regular rate for hours worked over 40 in a workweek
  • No daily overtime requirement (calculated weekly)
  • Standard FLSA exemptions apply (executive, administrative, professional)
  • No state-specific overtime provisions beyond federal law
  • Employers with annual gross sales under $150,000 may be exempt from FLSA

Additional Resources

Meal and Rest Breaks

Ohio requires meal breaks for minors but not for adult employees.

Key Requirements

  • Minors under 18: 30-minute meal break required for shifts over 5 consecutive hours
  • Adult employees (18+): No state law requiring meal or rest breaks
  • If breaks are voluntarily provided to adults, federal rules apply
  • Meal breaks for minors must be uninterrupted
  • Nursing mothers have right to express milk (federal requirement)

Additional Resources

Payday Requirements

Ohio requires employers to maintain regular pay schedules and provide specific payment information.

Key Requirements

  • Employers must establish regular pay periods and paydays
  • Common frequencies: weekly, bi-weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly
  • Must provide written notice of pay rate, payday, and overtime rate at time of hire
  • Final paychecks must be paid by the next regular payday or within 30 days
  • Certain deductions from wages are restricted without written authorization

Additional Resources

Child Labor

Ohio has comprehensive restrictions on youth employment to protect minors.

Key Requirements

  • Age certificates (work permits) required for minors under 18
  • Ages 14-15: Limited to 3 hours per school day, 18 hours per week during school
  • Ages 14-15: 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week when school not in session
  • Ages 16-17: No hour restrictions, but hazardous occupation restrictions apply
  • Minors under 16 prohibited from working before 7am or after 7pm (9pm in summer)

Additional Resources

Prevailing Wage

Ohio requires prevailing wage rates for workers on public construction projects.

Key Requirements

  • Applies to public improvement projects over certain thresholds
  • Workers must be paid not less than prevailing wage rates for the locality
  • Rates determined by classification of worker (e.g., carpenter, electrician)
  • Additional requirements for fringe benefits
  • Certified payroll records required for compliance

Additional Resources

Understanding Ohio's Employer Size Threshold

Ohio's minimum wage law includes a unique threshold based on business size:

Larger Employers

Gross receipts over $385,000/year

$10.45/hour minimum wage

Smaller Employers

Gross receipts under $385,000/year

$7.25/hour (federal minimum)

Youth Employment Certificates

Ohio requires age certificates (work permits) for all employees under 18. The process involves:

  • Minor obtains certificate from school superintendent or designee
  • Proof of age required (birth certificate, passport, or similar)
  • Statement of employment from employer required
  • Employer must keep certificate on file and available for inspection

Federal Laws Apply

Ohio employers must comply with all federal employment laws:

FLSA

Fair Labor Standards Act governs overtime, recordkeeping, and child labor standards.

FMLA

Family and Medical Leave Act provides job-protected leave for eligible employees.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits discrimination and requires reasonable accommodations.

Title VII

Prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

Streamline Ohio Labor Compliance

Rightwork helps you stay compliant with Ohio wage laws, track youth employment restrictions, and ensure your schedules meet all federal and state requirements.

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