Ohio Employment Law: Wages, Final Pay, Breaks and Your Rights at Work

$11.00 per hour in 2026 for non-tipped employees of businesses with annual gross receipts over $405,000. Employees of smaller businesses and workers under 16 get the federal minimum of $7.25.

$5.50 per hour plus tips in 2026 (same business-size threshold). A tipped employee customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips. The employer must be able to show that cash wage plus tips equals at least the full minimum wage.

Time and one-half the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. No daily overtime. Employers grossing less than $150,000 a year are exempt from the state overtime rule (federal law may still apply).

No state requirement for adults. Workers under 18 must get a 30-minute rest period after five consecutive hours of work.

At least twice a month. Wages earned in the first half of a month are due by the first day of the next month, and wages for the second half by the 15th of the next month. Daily or weekly pay is allowed. If wages go unpaid 30 days past the regular payday, the employer may owe an extra 6% of the unpaid amount or $200, whichever is greater.

No statewide paid sick leave law for private employers.

An employee who learns at work of a legal violation the employer can fix, and reasonably believes it is a crime likely to cause imminent physical harm or a public health or safety hazard, a felony, or an improper political solicitation, must first notify a supervisor orally and then in writing. If the employer does not act within 24 hours, the employee may report to prosecutors, police or the proper regulator. Employers may not discipline or retaliate for reports made this way. The employee may sue within 180 days for reinstatement, back pay, benefits and attorney's fees. The employee must make a reasonable, good-faith effort to check that the report is accurate.

Ohio Civil Rights Commission. State law covers employers with four or more employees in Ohio (plus state and local government). A charge must be filed in writing, under oath, within two years of the discriminatory act. In most cases a charge must be filed with the Commission before suing in court.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services handles unemployment benefits. Workers apply and manage claims online through the Ohio unemployment website.