Oklahoma minimum wage in 2026 (and 2027)

Two rates on paper, one in practice

The U.S. Department of Labor lists two Oklahoma figures:

• $7.25 for employers with 10 or more full-time employees at one location, or annual gross sales over $100,000.
• $2.00 for other employers that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act does not cover.

Many businesses fall under the FLSA through enterprise or individual coverage, and those jobs carry the federal $7.25 floor. The $2.00 tier only matters for a very small employer outside federal coverage and under both state thresholds. If you think that is you, get that confirmed in writing before paying it, because a wrong guess can mean owing back pay.

Tips, overtime and young workers

• Tipped staff: $2.13 an hour cash wage with a $5.12 tip credit, the federal formula.
• Overtime: federal rules apply, 1.5 x the regular rate after 40 hours, which is $10.875 at $7.25.
• Under 20: the federal youth wage of $4.25 is allowed for the first 90 consecutive days of employment.

Minimum wage pay in Oklahoma, worked out

At $7.25 for 40 hours: $290.00 a week. Over 2,080 hours a year: $15,080.00, which is $1,256.67 a month.

At the $2.00 tier the same hours come to $4,160.00 a year (2,080 x $2.00), which shows how far below the federal floor it sits.

Oklahoma requires paydays at least twice a month for most employees, and wages may not be held more than 3 days past payday.

What you pay beyond the paycheck

The Oklahoma unemployment wage base is $25,000 in 2026, so a minimum wage worker's full pay is taxable. Workers' compensation insurance is extra and required for most employers. Compare unemployment costs across states in the SUTA rate list, or model another wage with the employer cost calculator.

Oklahoma against its neighbors

Oklahoma shares the $7.25 floor with Texas and Kansas. Arkansas pays $11.00 at employers with 4 or more workers, and New Mexico pays $12.00. An employer near Fort Smith, just across the Arkansas line, competes for the same workers and will feel that gap. The full list is in our state minimum wage table.

Running payroll for Oklahoma hourly staff

Final pay is due on the next scheduled payday whether the employee quits or is fired. Registration with OESC and the Oklahoma Tax Commission is covered on the Oklahoma payroll tax page. Gusto's cheapest tier, Simple, starts at $49 per month and $6 per worker (checked October 16, 2026); our payroll software rankings show other options and their fees.