New year, new minimum wage for Ohio workers

COLUMBUS, Ohio – With a new year comes a new minimum wage for employees in the state of Ohio. Thanks to a state constitutional amendment, the minimum wage increases every year by the rate of inflation, which was 2.8% this year.

“The minimum wage starting Jan. 1, 2026, will be $11 an hour for non-tipped employees and $5.50 an hour for tipped employees. That’s a 30 cent increase for tipped employees and a 15 cent increase for non-tipped employees,” said Stephen Clegg from the Ohio Department of Commerce.

The 2026 Minimum Wage Poster is available on the Ohio Department of Commerce’s website and is required by all employers to be displayed in a location where all employees can see it. More information about this rate increase can also be found on the Department of Commerce’s website.