Learn About the Minimum Wage Laws

The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, and it's on the decline

A full-time employee who works 40 hours a week at the rate of $7.25 per hour earns $15,080 per year. That's not enough. The minimum wage has steadily declined over the last 50 years, as shown by the graph in our logo. In 1968, the minimum wage was $1.60 per hour. If that rate was increased with inflation, the current minimum wage would be $11.00 per hour.

Many states have a higher minimum wage, like Ohio ($8.15)

Employers are required to pay the higher of either the federal or their state's minimum wage. Ohio's minimum wage is $8.15 per hour. Therefore, Ohio employers must pay $8.15 per hour. Ohio's minimum wage increases with inflation. The current $8.15 rate became effective on January 1, 2017. In 2016, Ohio's minimum wage was $8.10.

You have likely been denied minimum wages

If you're paid the minimum wage, don't assume your employer is complying with the minimum wage laws. Your employer must pay you the minimum wage for all of the hours you work. Don't focus on your scheduled hours. Focus on all of the hours you work.

If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you are likely owed minimum wages:

• Do you work before your shift without pay? (e.g., start your work early, get ready for work, turn on your computer, log into programs, change into your uniform, or gather your equipment)
• Do you work after your shift without pay? (e.g., finish your work late, change out of your uniform, clean your workstation)
• Do you work from home without pay? (e.g., check email, take phone calls)
• Do you work through meal periods without pay? (e.g., eat at your desk, eat while driving)
• Are you not paid for short rest periods? (e.g., 5 to 20-minute rest periods)
• Are you not paid for travel time? (e.g., to and from your employer's place of business and the job site, job site to job site)
• Are you not paid for trainings and meetings? (e.g., during normal work hours, job related)

Newsflash - Your employer owes you minimum wages

Maybe a lot. If you're paid $8.15 an hour in Ohio, and worked an extra 5 hours per week over the last 3 years before and after your shift, you could be owed $6,357 in minimum wages. Plus you get triple damages under Ohio law.

More Minimum Wage Law Topics

Employees Eligible for the Minimum Wage

Current Federal Minimum Wage

Current Ohio Minimum Wage

Current Minimum Wage in Other States

Employees Not Entitled to the Minimum Wage

Tipped Employees

Calculating the Minimum Wage

Remedies