Oregon Minimum Wage Act
ORS 653.025
Regulatory Snapshot: Oregon Minimum Wage Act
Oregon Minimum Wage Act (ORS 653.025) is an enacted law in Oregon under the Employment & Worker Protection category. It was enacted on 2016-03-02 and becomes effective on 2025-07-01. Oregon currently reports 8 tracked regulations with 8 already in force, giving the state a regulatory strictness score of 62/100 relative to the national baseline. PlainRegWatch last verified this entry on 2026-03-18.
Nationally, 107 states have enacted employment & worker protection statutes and 0 additional bills remain pending — 51 distinct jurisdictions have codified rules in this area so far. That places Oregon within a mature and broadly adopted employment & worker protection landscape where compliance programs typically hinge on definitions in ORS 653.025 itself.
Applicability under Oregon Minimum Wage Act: All Oregon employers. Penalty exposure is documented as: BOLI enforcement. Wage recovery + civil penalties. Notable exemptions: None for minimum wage tiers..
Summary
Oregon three-tier minimum wage: $15.95/hr Portland metro, $13.20/hr non-urban, $14.70/hr standard (July 2025). No tipped credit.
Key Requirements
Three zones: Portland metro $15.95/hr, standard $14.70/hr, nonurban $13.20/hr (July 2025). No tipped credit — full min wage. Annual March CPI adjustment.
Penalties
BOLI enforcement. Wage recovery + civil penalties.
Applicability
All Oregon employers.
Exemptions
None for minimum wage tiers.
Official Source
https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/minimum-wage.aspxFrequently Asked Questions
Which states have employment & worker protection regulations?
As of the last verification, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection regulations, with 0 additional bills pending across other states. Oregon is among the states that has enacted such legislation. Browse all employment & worker protection regulations at plainregwatch.com for the complete state-by-state comparison.
When was Oregon Minimum Wage Act enacted?
Oregon Minimum Wage Act was enacted on 2016-03-02 and became effective on 2025-07-01. It was introduced as ORS 653.025.
What are the penalties for violating Oregon Minimum Wage Act?
BOLI enforcement. Wage recovery + civil penalties. Note that enforcement mechanisms and penalty structures may vary. Consult the official statute and qualified legal counsel for specific compliance requirements.
Does Oregon Minimum Wage Act apply to small businesses?
All Oregon employers. Many state regulations include thresholds or exemptions for smaller organizations. Review the full applicability criteria and consult legal counsel to determine your obligations.
How does Oregon compare to other states on employment & worker protection?
Oregon has a regulatory strictness score of 62/100, based on 8 enacted regulations out of 8 tracked. Nationally, 51 states have enacted employment & worker protection laws. Visit our state comparison page for a full ranking.
Where can I read the full text of Oregon Minimum Wage Act?
The official text of Oregon Minimum Wage Act (ORS 653.025) is available from the Oregon legislature. PlainRegWatch links to the official source for every tracked regulation. We recommend reviewing the full statute alongside qualified legal counsel for compliance planning.
Regulation Guides
Plain-language guides to help you understand the broader regulatory landscape.
Related Federal Data
Explore federal datasets connected to state regulation and enforcement.
PlainInfluence
Federal lobbying and influence data — see who shapes state regulation
PlainSpending
Federal spending data — track enforcement budgets behind regulations
PlainGovJobs
Government workforce data — agencies enforcing state and federal rules
PlainEnviro
EPA enforcement and environmental compliance across all 50 states
Explore Regulations
Disclaimer: This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Regulation details may have changed since last verification (2026-03-18). Always consult official sources and qualified legal counsel for compliance guidance.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
| Publisher | Kiznis Studio |
| Sources | Public state legislatures, IAPP, NCSL, and federal regulatory trackers |