Minimum Wage in Oregon

Author: Jason Coles

Updated On:

For business owners and managers, it is essential to know what you are legally obligated to pay your employees. Many states in the US have different laws, rules, and regulations when it comes to the minimum wage, and it is crucial to be equipped with everything there is to know regarding the minimum wage for your specific state.

In this guide, we will be focusing on Oregon’s statewide minimum wage. Oregon is one of 22 states where the minimum wage is higher than the federal wage. The federal minimum wage currently sits at $7.25 per hour and has been for many years.

The minimum wage in Oregon is unique to most other states as there is a minimum wage for 3 separate state areas, “Standard”, “Portland Metro”, and “Nonurban Counties”, which are all calculated via the consumer price index, measuring the cost of living, inflation, and other important factors that have a say in determining how much people should be paid.

You might be interested to know that the Oregon minimum wage is ranked in the top 10 highest state minimum wages in the United States, which is pretty impressive!

Did the Oregon Minimum Wage Go Up?

The graphic below highlights the various Oregon minimum wage rates. The minimum wage did go up in 2022 for all three areas within the state. The standard Oregon minimum wage rate went up to $13.00 per hour, Portland metro area increased to $14.75 per hour, and the Non-urban counties rose to $12.50 per hour.

Minimum wage in Oregon

Oregon Minimum Wage 2022

As mentioned previously, the Oregon minimum wage 2022 is quite different when compared with most other states. The three designated Oregon state areas have different minimum wages from one another, meaning if you work for an employer within one of these areas you will be subject to that area’s minimum wage.

The Oregon minimum wage increase is generally reviewed each year and the increase goes into effect in July of each year, rather than January, which is the month that most states tend to enact any increase in their minimum wage. This means, as an employer in Oregon, you can legally pay employees the 2021 rate until July 2022, after this, the 2022 rate comes into effect.

What are the Standard and Nonurban Counties?

Oregon’s Standard area has a minimum wage that is calculated via the consumer price index, where it is measured against the cost of living, house prices, and other economical factors. Here are all the counties within Oregon’s standard area:

  • Clatsop
  • Columbia
  • Tillamook
  • Yamhill
  • Polk
  • Marion
  • Lincoln
  • Benton
  • Linn
  • Hood River
  • Wasco
  • Lane
  • Deschutes
  • Josephine
  • Jackson

Oregon’s metro area minimum wage is calculated by adding on $1.25 to the standard area’s minimum wage each year, here are the counties within the Portland metro area:

  • Washington
  • Multnomah
  • Clackamas

The non-urban counties in Oregon that are subject to the lowest minimum wage rate within the state are as follows:

  • Coos
  • Douglas
  • Curry
  • Klamath
  • Lake
  • Harney
  • Malheur
  • Crook
  • Grant
  • Baker
  • Wheeler
  • Jefferson
  • Wheeler
  • Grant
  • Baker
  • Wallowa
  • Union
  • Umatilla
  • Morrow
  • Gilliam
  • Sherman

The table below provides the history of Oregon’s minimum wage over the years since 1983.

StateStandard WagePortland MetroNonurban Counties
Oregon Minimum Wage 2022$13.50$14.75$12.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 2021$12.75$14.00$12.00
Oregon Minimum Wage 2020$12.00$13.25$11.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 2019$11.25$12.50$11.00
Oregon Minimum Wage 2018$10.75$12.00$10.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 2017$10.25$11.25$10.00
Oregon Minimum Wage 2016$9.75$9.75$9.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 2015$9.25$9.25$9.25
Oregon Minimum Wage 2014$9.10$9.10$9.10
Oregon Minimum Wage 2013$8.95$8.95$8.95
Oregon Minimum Wage 2012$8.80$8.80$8.80
Oregon Minimum Wage 2011$8.50$8.50$8.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 2010$8.40$8.40$8.40
Oregon Minimum Wage 2009$8.40$8.40$8.40
Oregon Minimum Wage 2008$7.95$7.95$7.95
Oregon Minimum Wage 2007$7.80$7.80$7.80
Oregon Minimum Wage 2006$7.50$7.50$7.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 2005$7.25$7.25$7.25
Oregon Minimum Wage 2004$7.05$7.05$7.05
Oregon Minimum Wage 2003$6.90$6.90$6.90
Oregon Minimum Wage 2002$6.50$6.50$6.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 2001$6.50$6.50$6.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 2000$6.50$6.50$6.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 1999$6.50$6.50$6.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 1998$6.50$6.50$6.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 1997$5.50$5.50$5.50
Oregon Minimum Wage 1996$4.75$4.75$4.75
Oregon Minimum Wage 1995$4.75$4.75$4.75
Oregon Minimum Wage 1994$4.75$4.75$4.75
Oregon Minimum Wage 1993$4.75$4.75$4.75
Oregon Minimum Wage 1992$4.75$4.75$4.75
Oregon Minimum Wage 1991$4.75$4.75$4.75
Oregon Minimum Wage 1990$4.25$4.25$4.25
Oregon Minimum Wage 1989$3.85$3.85$3.85
Oregon Minimum Wage 1988$3.35$3.35$3.35
Oregon Minimum Wage 1987$3.35$3.35$3.35
Oregon Minimum Wage 1986$3.35$3.35$3.35
Oregon Minimum Wage 1985$3.10$3.10$3.10
Oregon Minimum Wage 1984$3.10$3.10$3.10
Oregon Minimum Wage 1983$3.10$3.10$3.10
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Jason Coles

Jason Coles is the Founder of Foreign USA and its Chief Content Writer and Editor. Recognized as a prolific business plan writer by many prominent immigration attorneys in the U.S., Jason has written over 1,280 business plans over the past 17+ years for start-ups looking to establish and expand their footprint in the United States.