In Ohio, the law requires employers to pay employees at least minimum wage, or an established amount of money that must be paid per hour. If you are not paid at least minimum wage, you could be a victim of wage theft and may be eligible for financial compensation through a Cleveland wage theft lawsuit. However, some workers are exempt from Ohio’s minimum wage laws under legal exceptions.
All non-exempt employees in Ohio are covered by the minimum wage provisions in the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). These workers are guaranteed a minimum hourly rate for work completed, plus overtime pay at one-and-one-half times the hourly wage for every hour worked over 40 hours in one week.
As of January 1, 2024, Ohio’s minimum wage increased to $10.45 per hour for nontipped employees. This was an increase of $0.35 per hour from 2023’s minimum wage ($10.10). The 2024 minimum wage applies to all non-exempt workers at businesses with annual gross receipts of more than $385,000. This minimum wage will increase again on January 1, 2025, by the rate of inflation.
Tipped employees in Ohio are subject to a different minimum wage than nontipped workers – exactly half of the state’s standard minimum wage rate. In Ohio, minimum wage is currently $5.25 per hour for tipped employees. If the worker’s wages plus tips do not equal Ohio’s standard minimum wage for hours worked, the employer must make up the difference.
The FLSA comes with some exceptions to the federal minimum wage requirement. State law in Ohio also has exemptions according to the Ohio Department of Commerce. These include:
Within these jobs and industries, an employer in Ohio may legally be allowed to pay employees less than minimum wage.
Employees at smaller companies that make less than $385,000 in gross receipts per year (as of January 1, 2024) can be paid less than minimum wage from their employers. In Ohio, the law permits these employers to pay the federal minimum wage, which is currently $7.25 per hour.
The federal minimum wage of $7.25 can also apply to workers who are 14 and 15 years old in Ohio. Youth workers under the age of 16 may be subject to the federal minimum wage if they are in non-traditional workplaces, such as training programs within a school, charity or nonprofit organizations, newspaper delivery, and some entertainment work.
If you are making less than the legally required minimum wage as a worker in Ohio but are not an exempt worker, you may be a victim of wage theft. You can hold your employer accountable for this violation of Ohio’s wage and hour laws with assistance from an attorney.
A Cleveland minimum wage violation lawyer can help you understand and protect your rights. Your lawyer can represent you during a wage claim or lawsuit against an employer in Ohio to help you seek fair financial compensation for your lost wages.
Contact an experienced Cleveland wage and hour attorney today at Scott & Winters Law Firm, LLC, to schedule a free consultation about your specific minimum wage issue.
