Minimum Wage in Hamilton County, Ohio

Cincinnati, Ohio 45201

.

Cincinnati, OH Minimum Wage and Wage Claims

What Is the Minimum Wage in Cincinnati, OH?

You are entitled to the highest minimum wage that applies where you work, whether set by your city, county, or state government. (Most cities and counties don’t have their own minimum wage laws.)

Cincinnati Minimum Wage

The minimum wage in Cincinnati, Ohio, is $10.45 an hour, the state minimum wage. Ohio law prohibits city and county governments from adopting a local minimum wage that's higher than the state minimum wage.  

Hamilton County Minimum Wage

The minimum wage in Hamilton County is $10.45 an hour, the state minimum wage. Ohio law prohibits city and county governments from adopting a local minimum wage that's higher than the state minimum wage. 

Ohio Minimum Wage

The minimum wage in Ohio is $10.45 an hour. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in The Buckeye State must be paid at least $10.45 an hour.

Learn more about Ohio’s minimum wage at https://www.com.ohio.gov/documents/dico_2021MinimumWageposter.pdf.

What Is the Tipped Minimum Wage in Cincinnati, OH?

Some states and local governments allow employers to pay tipped employees a lower minimum hourly wage; others don't. 

Ohio Tipped Minimum Wage

In Ohio, your employer may pay you a minimum wage of $5.25 an hour, as long as you earn enough in tips to bring your total hourly pay up to the full minimum wage, $10.45 an hour. If you don’t earn enough in tips to bring your compensation to the full minimum wage, your employer must make up the difference.

Advertisement

Who Enforces Cincinnati, OH Minimum Wage Laws?

Ohio Enforcement Agency

If you have questions about Ohio's minimum wage, contact the

Ohio Department of Commerce

URL: https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/industrial-compliance/industrial-compliance

Phone: 614-644-2239

The Ohio Department of Commerce
Division of Industrial Compliance
6606 Tussing Road
P.O. Box 4009
Reynoldsburg, Ohio  43068-9009

Email: IC@com.state.oh.us

How to File a Wage Claim in Cincinnati, OH

If you were not paid the minimum wage in Cincinnati, OH, you may have the right to file a wage claim or complaint with a government agency. Be sure to look at the wage claim materials (below) for the agency that enforces the law you believe was violated, whether city, county, or state. 

All jurisdictions impose a time limit on how far back you may claim unpaid wages, so it's important to file your claim quickly. There may be other restrictions on the claims you may file, such as dollar-amount limits or limits on the agency’s ability to force employers to comply with the law. You may be required to ask your employer to pay you correctly before you file a claim. And, you almost always have the option to go straight to court and file a lawsuit instead of filing a wage claim with a government agency. For these reasons, it often makes sense to talk to an experienced wage and hour lawyer to make sure you know all of your options, understand the strength of your claims, and decide how to proceed.

Filing a Wage Claim with the Ohio Department of Commerce

The Ohio Department of Commerce has posted the form and instructions to file a wage claim at its website. 

Advertisement

Get Help With Cincinnati, OH Wage Claims and Lawsuits

If you are considering filing a wage claim or lawsuit, you may want to speak to a local wage and hour attorney. The resources below can help you find a lawyer near you.

Cincinnati, OH Free or Low-Cost Legal Assistance

Legal aid offices provide free legal assistance to low-income people. Typically, you must qualify for legal aid based on your income. Visit to find local resources and legal aid offices.

Some law schools have free legal clinics that provide assistance with specific problems, including wage and hour issues and other employment matters. Find a list of law schools offering legal clinics on a variety of issues at the American Bar Association Center for Pro Bono.

Advertisement

Cincinnati, OH Lawyer Directories

Lawyer Referral Services in Ohio. Check with the Ohio State Bar Association for information on lawyer referral services in Cincinnati, OH. Lawyer referral services match people with attorneys who specialize in particular legal fields, such as wage and hour law.

NELA’s “Find-A-Lawyer” Service. Search the National Employment Lawyer’s Association’s membership to find Cincinnati, OH lawyers who specialize in wage and hour claims and other employment issues.


ADVERTISEMENT -

Free Overtime Case Evaluation For Cincinnati, OH

Do you have questions about whether you're getting the wages you're entitled to in Ohio? Use the form below to connect with a lawyer through the Nolo / Martindale network of overtime lawyers.
SPONSORED FORM - Nolo/Martindale Attorney Network