A.E. Bud Bailey and James Dana Pinney
Attorneys at Law

Oregon Minimum Wage

You must earn and be paid no less than minimum wage for all hours worked in Oregon. Tips are NOT included.

Minimum Wage

Effective September 16, 2009, Oregon Minimum wage is $8.40 (ORS 653.025), and, effective September 29, 2009, Washington minimum wage is $8.55 (RCW 49.46.020)

Almost all workers must be paid the minimum wage as required by Oregon state law. There are no sub-minimum rates for trainees or minors in Oregon, although there are some special provisions for student-learners and disabled workers. Your employer may not make deductions from your wages that takes you below minimum wage.

Minimum Wage Penalties

Under Federal law, you may receive a matching amount of unpaid minimum wages.

Under Oregon State law, you may receive your unpaid minimum wages plus up to 30 days of penalty wages, plus costs and attorney fees.

Exemptions: The following is a list of some employee types that are not subject to the state minimum wage law.

• Some agricultural workers
• Workers engaged in the range-production of livestock
• Individuals who perform child care services in their home or the home of the child
• Domestic workers employed on a casual basis in a family home
• Administrative, executive, or professional workers
• Persons employed by the United States Government
• Students enrolled in and employed by an institution of primary or secondary education
• Outside salespersons
• Taxicab operators
• Workers living at a place of employment for the purpose of being available for emergency or occasional duties
• Workers paid for specified hours who are to be available for recall to duty
• Managers, assistant managers, and maintenance workers employed and lodged in multi-unit accommodations
• Workers employed on a seasonal basis at educational or organized camps having an annual income of less than $500,000 and workers employed on a seasonal basis at non-profit camps
• Workers employed at a non-profit conference ground or center operated for educational, charitable, or religious purposes
• Volunteer firefighters
• Workers providing companionship services to elderly, infirm, or disabled persons in a family home

For more information on wage and hour laws, visit http://www.boli.state.or.us