Several readers have asked me to write about changes to the Oklahoma minimum wage. The minimum wage in Oklahoma is currently $5.15 per hour, but that is likely to change in the near future. The reason is simple. Oklahoma is one of 7 states where the state minimum wage is linked to the federal minimum wage. The other 6 states with a similar arrangement are Oklahoma, Kentucky, New Hampshire, Texas, Utah and Virginia. Each time the federal minimum wage increases, so does the state minimum wage.
The federal minimum wage is about to be changed for the first time in almost a decade, and the state minimum wage will increase along with it. The Oklahoma minimum wage law doesn’t actually specify a dollar amount for the state minimum wage. Instead, it states that the federal minimum wage is tied to the federal minimum wage. So, every time the federal minimum wage increases, the Oklahoma minimum wage will go up, as well.
Most states specify a dollar amount for the minimum wage. California and Massachusetts have minimum wages set by law at $7.50 per hour, while Washington state has the highest minimum wage at $7.93 per hour. In Alaska, New Jersey and New York, that amount is $7.15 per hour. It’s $7.25 in Hawaii, $7.40 in Rhode Island.
Under Oklahoma law, the state minimum wage would increase to $5.85 per hour. That change is likely to take place in April or May of this year. The federal minimum wage bill currently before Congress would increase the minimum wage by a total of $2.10 over 26 months. The changes would occur in three steps of 70 cents each. The first incremental increase, from $5.15 per hour to $5.85 per hour would occur just 60 days after the federal minimum wage bill was passed.
The second increase in the minimum wage would occur 14 months after the bill is signed by the President. At that time, the federal minimum wage increases by 70 cents to $6.55 per hour. That change will probably occur around April or May 2008. At that time, the Oklahoma minimum wage would also increase to $6.55 per hour.
The final 70-cent increase in the federal minimum wage will occur 26 months after the present bill is signed into law. At that time, the federal minimum wage will increase by 70 cents to $7.25 per hour. At that point, the Oklahoma minimum wage would increase to $7.25 per hour as well.
Of course, this is assuming that the legislation currently before the Senate is passed without any substantive changes. If there are, I’ll be the first to let you know.
