As of 2026, Oklahoma's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour for most covered workers, the same as the federal minimum under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Oklahoma does not set a higher state rate. Instead, the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act (Title 40 of the Oklahoma Statutes, Section 197.1 and following) pegs the state minimum to the federal figure: when the federal minimum wage is higher than the state's stated number, the federal rate controls and effectively becomes the Oklahoma minimum. Because the federal minimum has sat at $7.25 since 2009, that is the rate almost every Oklahoma employee is entitled to today. Oklahoma has no scheduled increases and no inflation indexing built into its law, so the rate stays at $7.25 until either the U.S. Congress raises the federal floor or the Oklahoma Legislature amends the state act. Always confirm the current figure with the Oklahoma Department of Labor before relying on it.
How Oklahoma's minimum wage works
Oklahoma is one of the states that ties its wage floor to the federal standard rather than legislating a separate, higher number. The Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act contains a state figure, but the act expressly provides that if the federal minimum wage under the FLSA is greater, the federal rate applies. Since federal law currently requires $7.25 per hour, that is the operative minimum for Oklahoma workers covered by either law.
The federal baseline matters here in two ways. First, it sets the floor that Oklahoma cannot fall below for FLSA-covered employees. Second, most Oklahoma employers are covered by the FLSA anyway, because the federal law reaches businesses with at least $500,000 in annual sales and individual workers engaged in interstate commerce. For those employers, the $7.25 federal rate applies directly regardless of what the state act says about smaller businesses.
The tipped wage and tip credit
Oklahoma follows the federal tip-credit structure. An employer may pay a tipped employee a reduced cash wage of $2.13 per hour as long as the employee's tips bring total earnings up to at least the full $7.25 minimum for every hour worked. The difference between the $2.13 cash wage and the $7.25 minimum, up to $5.12 per hour, is the "tip credit" the employer claims.
The key protections under both Oklahoma and federal law are these:
The math has to work every week. If a tipped worker's cash wage plus tips does not reach $7.25 per hour, the employer must make up the shortfall. The tip credit is only valid when tips actually fill the gap.
A tipped employee is one who customarily earns more than $30 a month in tips. Workers below that threshold are not "tipped employees" and must receive the full minimum wage in cash.
Tips belong to the employee. An employer cannot keep an employee's tips. Valid tip pools may be shared among employees who customarily receive tips, but managers, supervisors, and the employer generally cannot share in them.
Notice is required. Before taking a tip credit, the employer must inform the employee that it intends to do so.
Because the tipped cash wage in Oklahoma mirrors the federal $2.13 figure, there is no separate, higher state tipped minimum to track. If federal tip rules change, Oklahoma practice generally follows.
Exemptions and special categories
Not every worker is covered by the state minimum wage act, and the act lists several exemptions. Under Title 40, certain small and low-revenue employers are excluded from the state minimum wage requirement, including employers with fewer than ten full-time employees at any one location and employers whose gross annual sales are under $100,000, provided they are not otherwise covered by the FLSA. This is an important caveat: an employer can be exempt from the state act yet still be required to pay $7.25 because it is covered by federal law. The FLSA's broad reach means many of these supposedly exempt small employers must pay the federal minimum anyway.
Other categories the Oklahoma act and the FLSA treat differently include:
Executive, administrative, and professional employees who meet the salary and duties tests for the FLSA white-collar exemptions.
Agricultural workers, who are subject to special rules under both state and federal law.
Domestic service workers in or about a private home, who are partially exempt under the state act.
Certain learners, apprentices, and workers with disabilities, who may be paid subminimum rates under specific federal certificate programs.
Independent contractors, who are not employees at all and are not covered by minimum wage law. Misclassification of employees as contractors is a common and unlawful way to avoid the wage floor.
If you are unsure whether an exemption applies to your job, do not assume it does. Exemptions are narrow and the employer bears the burden of proving one.
No local minimum wage in Oklahoma
One feature that sets Oklahoma apart from states like California or Washington is that Oklahoma cities and counties cannot set their own minimum wage. In 2014, the Legislature passed a preemption law (codified at Title 40, Section 160) that bars municipalities from establishing a mandatory minimum wage or mandatory employment benefits, such as paid leave or vacation, that exceed state or federal requirements. The law was passed in direct response to a proposed Oklahoma City wage measure.
The practical result is that there is a single statewide wage floor. Whether you work in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, Norman, Lawton, or a small rural town, the minimum wage is the same $7.25 figure tied to the federal standard. Do not expect a higher "city minimum wage" in Oklahoma the way some workers see in other states, because state law prohibits it.
Overtime in Oklahoma
Oklahoma has no separate state overtime statute. Overtime pay is governed entirely by the federal FLSA, which requires time-and-a-half for hours worked over 40 in a workweek for non-exempt employees. There is no daily overtime requirement in Oklahoma; overtime is measured by the 40-hour weekly threshold. For a tipped employee, overtime is calculated on the full $7.25 minimum wage, not on the $2.13 cash wage, so the tip credit does not shrink the overtime obligation.
How to enforce your right to the minimum wage
If you believe you are being paid less than the minimum wage, or that your employer is mishandling tips or overtime, you have more than one path:
Oklahoma Department of Labor (ODOL). The state agency administers the Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act and accepts wage claims. ODOL's Wage and Hour unit can investigate unpaid minimum wages and certain wage disputes.
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (WHD). Because most Oklahoma employers are FLSA-covered, the federal WHD is often the more effective route for minimum wage and overtime complaints. The WHD can recover back wages and, in some cases, an equal amount in liquidated damages.
A private lawsuit. The FLSA allows employees to sue for unpaid minimum wages and overtime, plus liquidated damages and attorney's fees. The general FLSA statute of limitations is two years, extended to three years for willful violations, so do not wait.
Keep your own records. Save pay stubs, note your hours, and document tips received. Federal law forbids employers from retaliating against workers who assert their wage rights or file a complaint.
Where to verify the current rate
Wage figures can change when Congress acts, so confirm the number before relying on it. The authoritative state source is the Oklahoma Department of Labor, which publishes Oklahoma's minimum wage and wage-and-hour guidance. For the federal rate, tip rules, and overtime standards, check the U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division. As of 2026, both the state and federal minimum stand at $7.25 per hour and the tipped cash wage at $2.13, but you should verify the current figures directly with these agencies, especially if a federal increase has taken effect.
Official Oklahoma Sources
This page is based on Oklahoma employment law. Rules and figures change — verify the current details directly with the official Oklahoma sources below. This is general legal information, not legal advice.
Federal law and local ordinances may also apply. Federal laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act set a national floor, and your city or county may add protections (such as a higher local minimum wage or paid sick leave). Check both alongside Oklahoma state law.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Oklahoma in 2026?
As of 2026, Oklahoma's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal rate. The Oklahoma Minimum Wage Act ties the state minimum to the federal floor, so when the federal rate is higher it controls. Confirm the current figure with the Oklahoma Department of Labor.
Can Oklahoma cities set a higher minimum wage than $7.25?
No. A 2014 state preemption law (Title 40, Section 160) prohibits Oklahoma municipalities from setting their own minimum wage or mandatory benefits above state or federal levels. The $7.25 floor applies statewide, in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, and everywhere else.
How much can a tipped worker be paid in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma follows the federal tip credit. An employer can pay a cash wage as low as $2.13 per hour if tips bring the worker up to at least $7.25 for every hour worked. If tips fall short, the employer must make up the difference.
Does Oklahoma have its own overtime law?
No. Oklahoma has no separate state overtime statute. Overtime is governed by the federal FLSA, which requires time-and-a-half for hours over 40 in a workweek for non-exempt employees. There is no daily overtime rule.
Where do I report a minimum wage violation in Oklahoma?
You can file with the Oklahoma Department of Labor's Wage and Hour unit or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. Because most Oklahoma employers are FLSA-covered, the federal agency is often the stronger route. You may also sue under the FLSA within two years (three if willful).
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and may not reflect the most current law or the law in your jurisdiction. Laws vary by state and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
Knowing your rights is the first step
Join thousands committing to calmly and consistently exercise their constitutional rights.
