Oregon Minimum Wage Increases July 1st

Oregon's minimum wage will increase July 1, 2018. In 2016, Oregon set forth a schedule of annual increases through 2020 to take effect each July 1st. Beginning July 1, 2023, the rate will be increased each year based on the Consumer Price Index.

In addition to the annual increases, Oregon established a three tier minimum wage schedule based on employee work location. The highest tier is for employees working in the Portland Metro urban growth boundary, the second for employees in standard population counties, and the third for employees in non-urban counties. The portions of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties outside of the urban growth boundary are considered standard population counties. Employers can visit BOLI's minimum wage site for a map of counties in each tier, an address finder to determine if the work site is within the Portland Metro urban growth boundary, and a full breakdown of the annual wage increase schedule.

Effective July 1, 2018, the minimum wage for Portland Metro will be $12.00 per hour, up from the current rate of $11.25 per hour. Standard counties will move to $10.75 per hour from $10.25. Non-urban counties will move to $10.50 per hour, up from $10.00 currently.

Hours worked prior to July 1st can be paid at the current minimum wage rate, even if the wages are paid after July 1st. For example, a company with a biweekly pay period starting June 17th, ending June 30th, and checks dated July 7th can pay all hours at the current minimum wage because they were worked prior to July 1st. If an employee's work day starts on June 30th and ends after 12:01 am on July 1st, the employee can be paid the current minimum wage for the hours worked on June 30th, but must be paid the higher minimum wage for the hours worked after 12:01 am on July 1st.