Ohio Labor Laws: Minimum Wage, Overtime & Breaks

Yes, Ohio has specific labor laws covering minimum wage, overtime, and breaks for minors and adult workers. This guide explains the current rules, who they apply to, and how they interact with federal law, so you can understand your rights and obligations.

Formula

For non-exempt employees, overtime is calculated as 1.5 times the regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. The formula is:

Weekly Pay = (40 × r) + ((H − 40) × 1.5 × r)

• r = regular hourly pay rate (in dollars per hour)
• H = total hours worked in the workweek (in hours)
• 40 = standard full-time threshold for overtime

This matches the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) rule, which Ohio follows. The first 40 hours are paid at the regular rate, and every hour beyond that is paid at 1.5 times the regular rate.

Worked Example

Using the default values from the calculator above: an employee earns $15 per hour and works 50 hours in one week.

1. Regular pay for 40 hours: 40 × $15 = $600
2. Overtime hours: 50 − 40 = 10 hours
3. Overtime rate: $15 × 1.5 = $22.50 per hour
4. Overtime pay: 10 × $22.50 = $225
5. Total weekly pay: $600 + $225 = $825

The calculator shows the same result: overtime pay of $22.50 per hour and a total weekly pay of $825.00.

Ohio Minimum Wage: Who Gets It and How Much

Ohio’s minimum wage is adjusted annually for inflation. As of January 1, 2024, the state minimum wage is $10.45 per hour for most non-exempt employees. However, there is a separate, lower rate for employees under 16 years old: $7.25 per hour, which matches the federal minimum wage.

The higher rate applies to employers with gross annual receipts of at least $385,000 per year. Smaller employers may pay the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. Tipped employees must receive at least $5.25 per hour in direct wages, but if tips plus wages do not equal the full minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.

Ohio’s minimum wage law does not apply to all workers. Exemptions include certain outside salespeople, employees of small farms, and some government workers. Always check the current rate, as it changes each January.

Overtime Rules: When You Must Pay 1.5x

Under Ohio law (which follows the FLSA), overtime is required for non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a single workweek. The workweek is a fixed, recurring 7-day period (e.g., Sunday through Saturday) that the employer defines. It does not have to match the calendar week.

Overtime pay must be at least 1.5 times the employee’s regular rate of pay. The regular rate includes most bonuses, commissions, and piece-rate earnings, but excludes certain payments like gifts and reimbursements. Employers cannot average hours over two weeks to avoid overtime – each week stands alone.

Some employees are exempt from overtime, including:

• Executive, administrative, and professional workers who meet salary and duty tests
• Certain computer professionals
• Outside salespeople
• Farm workers (in some cases)

Misclassification as “exempt� is a common issue. If you are paid a salary but do not primarily perform exempt duties, you may still be entitled to overtime.

Break and Meal Period Rules

Ohio does not require employers to provide breaks or meal periods for adult workers (18 and over). If an employer chooses to offer a break, the rules depend on its duration:

• Short breaks (20 minutes or less): Must be paid, because they are considered compensable work time under federal law.
• Meal periods (30 minutes or more): Generally do not have to be paid, provided the employee is completely relieved of duties. If the employee is required to work during the meal, it must be paid.

Many employers voluntarily provide breaks, but they are not legally obligated to do so for adults. However, if an employer promises breaks in a contract or handbook, they may be required to honor that promise.

Special Rules for Minors (Under 18)

Minors have more protections than adults. The Ohio Minor Labor Law sets strict limits on work hours and requires work permits for those under 16.

Work permits: Youths under 16 must obtain a work permit (age and schooling certificate) before starting a job. The permit is issued by the school district and must be kept on file by the employer. Youths 16 and 17 do not need a permit, but they are still subject to hour restrictions.

Hour restrictions for 14 and 15 year olds:

• When school is in session: no more than 3 hours per day on school days, 18 hours per week, and only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m.
• When school is not in session: no more than 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, and only between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m. (June 1 to Labor Day).

Hour restrictions for 16 and 17 year olds:

• When school is in session: no more than 4 hours per day on school days (and not before 7 a.m. or after 11 p.m. on nights before school days), and no more than 20 hours per week.
• When school is not in session: no more than 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week, and not before 6 a.m. or after 11 p.m. (or 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays).

Minors are also prohibited from working in hazardous occupations, such as mining, logging, and operating certain power-driven machinery.

How Ohio Law Interacts with Federal Law

Employers in Ohio must comply with both state and federal labor laws. When the two conflict, the law that is more protective of the employee prevails. For example:

• Ohio’s minimum wage ($10.45) is higher than the federal ($7.25), so employers must pay the higher state rate.
• Overtime rules are the same under both – 40 hours per week at 1.5x – so there is no conflict.
• For breaks, neither Ohio nor federal law requires breaks for adults, so employers have discretion.

This means that even if an employer is covered by the FLSA (which applies to most businesses with at least $500,000 in annual revenue), they must still follow Ohio’s stricter minimum wage and minor labor rules.

Common Misconceptions and Practical Tips

Many people believe that Ohio requires a lunch break for every shift over 5 hours – that is not true for adults. Another common myth is that salaried employees are always exempt from overtime – that depends on their job duties and salary level, not just the fact they are salaried.

If you believe your employer has violated wage or hour laws, you can file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Industrial Compliance, or the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division. Keep accurate records of your hours and pay stubs. The statute of limitations for wage claims is generally two years (three for willful violations).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ohio require paid breaks for adults?
No. Ohio does not require any breaks for workers 18 and over. If an employer gives a short break (20 minutes or less), it must be paid. Meal breaks of 30+ minutes can be unpaid if the employee is fully relieved of duties.

Can a minor work past 10 p.m. on a school night?
No. For 16 and 17 year olds, work must end by 11 p.m. on nights before school days. For 14 and 15 year olds, the cutoff is 7 p.m. during the school year.

Is overtime calculated daily or weekly in Ohio?
Weekly. Overtime is based on hours worked over 40 in a single workweek, not on any single day. Working 12 hours in one day does not trigger overtime if the weekly total is under 40.

Do tipped employees get the full minimum wage?
They must receive at least $5.25 per hour in direct wages. If tips plus that amount do not reach $10.45 per hour, the employer must make up the difference.

Are internships and unpaid training covered by these laws?
Unpaid internships are allowed only if the intern is the primary beneficiary of the arrangement. If the employer benefits more, the intern is likely an employee and must be paid minimum wage and overtime.

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in t | Work hours per week | h | 40 | 0
in r | Hourly pay rate | $ | 15 | 0
out ot | Overtime pay (time-and-a-half) | $ | r * 1.5 | 2
out weekly | Weekly pay with OT | $ | (40 * r) + ((t - 40) * r * 1.5) | 2