Ohio HR laws for employers (2026)
The Ohio rules employers ask about most: minimum wage, overtime, final pay, unused vacation, paid sick leave and breaks.
Ohio employment law at a glance
| Minimum wage | $11.00 per hour Verify |
|---|---|
| Tipped cash wage | $5.50 per hour |
| Overtime | No daily overtime; time and a half after 40 hours a week, same as federal. |
| Final pay when fired | No separate final-pay statute; final wages are due on the regular semimonthly pay schedule (first-half-of-month wages by the 1st of the next month, second-half wages by the 15th). Verify |
| Final pay when an employee quits | Same as discharge: regular pay schedule; no special rule for resignations. Verify |
| Unused vacation / PTO at separation | Not required by state law; payout depends on the employer's policy or agreement. No state rule on use-it-or-lose-it. Verify |
| Paid sick leave | No statewide mandate for private employers. |
| Meal breaks | No state requirement for adult employees (required for minors under 18). |
| Rest breaks | No state requirement. |
Minimum wage note: $11.00/hour for employers with annual gross receipts of $405,000 or more; smaller employers (and 14-15 year olds) pay the federal $7.25. Indexed yearly: the Ohio Department of Commerce announced (Sept 30, 2026) a rise to $11.40 on Jan 1, 2027, with the small-employer threshold rising to $420,000. No local minimum wages.
Verify means we could not confirm that item from an official Ohio or US Department of Labor source, so check it with the state before relying on it.
Other Ohio rules to know
- Several cities, including Cleveland and Columbus, have local pay transparency and salary history ordinances for employers in those cities.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Ohio in 2026?
$11.00 per hour, effective January 1, 2026. $11.00/hour for employers with annual gross receipts of $405,000 or more; smaller employers (and 14-15 year olds) pay the federal $7.25. Indexed yearly: the Ohio Department of Commerce announced (Sept 30, 2026) a rise to $11.40 on Jan 1, 2027, with the small-employer threshold rising to $420,000. No local minimum wages.
When is a final paycheck due in Ohio?
If the employer ends employment: No separate final-pay statute; final wages are due on the regular semimonthly pay schedule (first-half-of-month wages by the 1st of the next month, second-half wages by the 15th). If the employee quits: Same as discharge: regular pay schedule; no special rule for resignations.
Does Ohio require paying out unused vacation?
Not required by state law; payout depends on the employer's policy or agreement. No state rule on use-it-or-lose-it.
Is paid sick leave required in Ohio?
No statewide mandate for private employers.
Sources
- Ohio Dept. of Commerce 2026 minimum wage poster
- Ohio Revised Code 4113.15 (wage payment)
- US DOL state minimum wage table
- US DOL tipped minimum wage table
- US DOL state meal break table
- Local 12: Ohio minimum wage to rise in 2027 (Sept 30, 2026, secondary)
- Paylocity PTO payout laws by state (secondary)
- Fisher Phillips: Columbus pay transparency (secondary)
HR laws in other states
This page is general information for employers, not legal advice. Employment laws change and can vary by city and county. Confirm details with the state labor department or an employment attorney. Read our disclaimer.