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The Mandate Monitor

What employers in Ohio must do

Checked November 9, 2026From the agencies that run each program

Short answer

Employers in Ohio must pay most workers at least $11.00 an hour, rising to $11.40 on January 1, 2027.

Ohio has no state paid family and medical leave insurance program.

The next dated change in Ohio is January 1, 2027: Ohio minimum wage rises to $11.40.

Running payroll in Ohio? See the do-it-yourself route and list prices for the 8 payroll systems that say they file payroll taxes.

Ohio requirements at a glance

RequirementStatusWhat it means for you
Minimum wageIn effect$11.00 an hour for most workers; $11.40 from January 1, 2027

Pay rules Ohio employers must follow

Paydays
Twice a month: by the 1st for wages earned the 1st to the 15th of the month before, and by the 15th for the rest of that month. Weekly or daily pay is fine, and a contract or trade custom can allow a longer delay.
Final paycheck, fired
We found no separate final-pay deadline. The regular payday schedule applies.
Final paycheck, quit
We found no separate final-pay deadline. The regular payday schedule applies.
Meal breaks
We found no state requirement for adults.
Rest breaks
We found no state requirement for adults.
Overtime
State law follows the federal rule: time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek. The state overtime section excludes employers with annual gross sales under $150,000; federal overtime rules can still apply to them.
New hire reporting
Within 20 days of hire, to the Ohio New Hire Reporting Center. Independent contractors count too, unless the contract pays under $2,500 a year or they are licensed professionals working under that license.

From the Ohio Department of Commerce, Bureau of Wage and Hour Administration and the U.S. Department of Labor’s state tables, checked November 7, 2026.

Upcoming Ohio deadlines

  1. · Minimum wage

    Ohio minimum wage rises to $11.40

    Tipped cash wage: $5.70

Deadline calendar for every state · How to hire your first employee · Employer law changes for 2027 · All states

Sources

  1. Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance
  2. State Payday Requirements (last revised January 1, 2023), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
  3. Minimum Length of Meal Period Required under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (last revised January 1, 2023), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
  4. Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (last revised January 1, 2023), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
  5. State Minimum Wage Laws, including premium (overtime) pay after designated hours (updated November 5, 2026), U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division (read Nov 7, 2026)
  6. Ohio Revised Code 4113.15, Semimonthly payment of wages (effective March 20, 2019), Ohio Laws (codes.ohio.gov) (read Nov 8, 2026)
  7. Ohio New Hire Reporting Center, Ohio New Hire Reporting Center (Ohio Department of Job and Family Services) (read Nov 8, 2026)
  8. Ohio Revised Code 4111.03, Overtime, Ohio Laws (codes.ohio.gov) (read Nov 8, 2026)
  9. Ohio Revised Code 3121.89, Employee and employer defined, Ohio Laws (codes.ohio.gov) (read Nov 8, 2026)
  10. Ohio Administrative Code 5101:12-10-90.1, Employer responsibilities (new hire reports), Ohio Laws (codes.ohio.gov) (read Nov 8, 2026)