What is the Oklahoma Tipped Minimum Wage?

Employment laws, and particularly minimum wage laws in the United States are not clear or straightforward to follow, especially when you are looking at the tipped minimum wage, and tipped employees in Oklahoma.

Workers at restaurants, bars, hotels, airports, cafes, and other service providers often expect to be paid a relatively small hourly wage supplemented heavily by tips (gratuities). Many service-industry workers in Oklahoma base their entire pay on tips and rely on them to cover their living expenses and lifestyle.

So, What is a Tipped Oklahoma Employee?

A tipped worker in Oklahoma is somebody who earns their wages through tips rather than a fixed salary or higher per hour rate that meets or exceeds the minimum wage in the state. Federal law establishes the rules of what is considered a tipped employee vs. a non-tipped employee.

In Oklahoma, if an employee receives more than $30 or more per month in tips, they are considered to be a tipped employee by federal standards. These employees often include workers such as bartenders, servers in Oklahoma, some hotel workers (like bellhops and porters), valet car parking attendants, and more. The laws surrounding the definition of an Oklahoma tipped employee follow the federal guidelines.

Tipped Employees and the Oklahoma Tipped Minimum Wage

To comply with Oklahoma minimum wage laws, employers must ensure that when including tips, their employees that are 18 years of age or older are being paid at the very least the state minimum wage rate set for Oklahoma tipped workers, which is the same as the federal minimum wage and, also known as the Oklahoma tipped minimum wage for employees. If those employees are not making that minimum pay rate, it is then the employer’s responsibility to make up the difference which is 71% of the regular minimum wage of $7.25 per hour – the difference between $2.13 per hour and $7.25 per hour.

There are many factors that contribute to the employment law in Oklahoma that will impact how employers handle tipped employees. Understanding the standard minimum wage in Oklahoma, the federal laws controlling wages, and how pay and wages work for tipped employees is pivotal if you are considering starting a service-related business with tipped employees.

The tipped minimum wage in Oklahoma for 2022 is $2.13 per hour. The current minimum wage in Oklahoma in 2022 for those over the age of 18 years old is $7.25 per hour for non-tipped employees. If an employee works more than 40-hours per week then they are entitled to be paid overtime. This is called “time and a half pay” and is equal to one and a half times (1.5) an employee’s normal hourly wage.

Oklahoma law requires the Oklahoma Fair Labor Standards Division to calculate a minimum wage increase each year. The annual calculation is based on the percentage increase in the state’s Consumer Price Index (CPI) previous 12-month period from when the calculation occurs.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Tipped Employees

The Federal Fair Labor Standards Act, also known as the FLSA, is a federal law from the U.S. Department of Labor. This law establishes a national minimum wage, defines classifications for employees, and covers other essential standards and requirements for Oklahoma employers.

Federal law requires that employers make tipped employees aware of the cash wage paid. They must also let them know about the tip credit, and explain any tip pooling systems at the workplace. Currently, the national direct hourly salary is only $2.13 per hour.

Tip Credits and the Minimum Cash Wage in Oklahoma

Since the rules for tipped employees are different than non-tipped employees, there are other ways that employers can calculate the minimum amount earned by a tipped employee. One of these ways is through tip credits.

The Oklahoma tip credit is the same as the federal tip credit, which is currently $5.12 per hour (71% of the applicable minimum wage) – this means that employers can claim a $5.12 hourly credit against the tipped employee’s minimum wage. This credit effectively turns the $7.25 minimum wage into a $2.13 per hour minimum wage (29%) that employers must pay to tipped employees no matter how much they earn.

Let’s assume a tipped employee earned less than $7.25 per hour during the working week as their tipped wage (an accumulation of their tips). In that case, the employer must pay the difference between what they made and the total $7.25 per hour. This is tipped credit.

A minimum cash wage ensures that Oklahoma tipped employees earn a wage, even if a slow workweek or other downturn occurs and they do not receive sufficient tips in a certain week or pay period. This minimum wage rate ensures that servers and others in tipped roles in Oklahoma that do not make enough with tips can still earn a weekly wage when working full-time of $290 ($7.25 x 40 hours).

Alternatively, some tipped employees in Oklahoma will work more than 40 hours per week, especially if they are covering shifts for other employees, and may qualify for overtime pay. The table below displays the Oklahoma tipped minimum wage history rates.

How Does This Affect My Business?

If you are planning to start (or purchase) a new business in Oklahoma due to the abundance of fantastic opportunities in the Sooner State, or simply considering Oklahoma as a place to live and work, you should certainly take this information about tipped employees and the state minimum wage into account.

While you may want to speak with an employment attorney or accounting firm for legal and tax advice about your business, understanding the minimum wage laws for tipped employees can help you make an informed decision whether or not the state is right for you and your future plans.

If you have a claim related to employment, you can find out more information on the Oklahoma Department of Labor website. You can also file a complaint if you feel you are not being paid the correct minimum wage or overtime rate.

To file a complaint, call this number: (405) 521-6100