Oregon labor laws for hourly staff: minimum wage, breaks and minors
The US Department of Labor (updated November 5, 2026) lists Oregon's basic minimum rate as: $15.55 (standard state rate); $16.80 (Portland Metro Area); $14.55 (Non-Urban counties). Other rates or conditions in the DOL entry are quoted below. The DOL meal-period table (revised January 1, 2023) lists a meal-period requirement for adult private-sector employees for Oregon, and its rest-period table lists a paid rest-period requirement.
Oregon labor rules at a glance
| Topic | What the US DOL table says for Oregon | Source date |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $15.55 (standard state rate); $16.80 (Portland Metro Area); $14.55 (Non-Urban counties) | November 5, 2026 |
| Overtime / premium pay | Premium Pay After Designated Hours 1 : Weekly - 40 Premium pay required after 10 hours a day in nonfarm canneries, driers, or packing plants and in mills, factories or manufacturing establishments (excluding sawmills, planning mills, shingle mills, and logging camps). | November 5, 2026 |
| Meal break (adults) | See table below | January 1, 2023 |
| Paid rest break (adults) | See table below | January 1, 2023 |
| Minors under 16: max hours | 8-40-6 non-school day/week 3-18-6 school day/week | July 15, 2025 |
| Minors 16–17: max hours | 44-hour week | July 15, 2025 |
| Night work, under 16 | 7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m. | July 15, 2025 |
| Night work, 16–17 | Blank on the DOL table | July 15, 2025 |
Minimum wage in Oregon
Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $15.55 (standard state rate); $16.80 (Portland Metro Area); $14.55 (Non-Urban counties)
Premium Pay After Designated Hours 1 : Weekly - 40
Premium pay required after 10 hours a day in nonfarm canneries, driers, or packing plants and in mills, factories or manufacturing establishments (excluding sawmills, planning mills, shingle mills, and logging camps).
The Oregon minimum wage is adjusted annually on July 1 based on a set formula. There is a higher minimum wage in the Portland metro area and a lower minimum wage in non-urban counties. See Minimum wage increase schedule.
DOL footnote 1: The overtime premium rate is one and one-half times the employee's regular rate, unless otherwise specified.
The DOL notes that some local governments set minimum wages higher than the state rate, and that subminimum or training rates are not shown in its table.
Meal breaks in Oregon
| Rule | Prescribed by | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| ½ hour, with relief from all duty, for each work period of 6 to 8 hours, between 2nd and 5th hour for work period of 7 hours or less and between 3rd and 6th hour for work period over 7 hours; or, less than ½ hour but not less than 20 minutes, with pay, with relief from all duty, where employer can show that such a paid meal period is industry practice or custom; or, where employer can show that nature of work prevents relief from all duty, an eating period with pay while on duty for each period of 6 to 8 hours. | Administrative | Applicable to every employer, except employees covered by collective bargaining agreement. |
The DOL lists Oregon among the jurisdictions with separate meal-period provisions for minors.
DOL footnote 3/: Not displayed in table are exemptions for executive, administrative and professional employees, and for outside salespersons.
Rest breaks in Oregon
| Rule | Prescribed by | Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Paid 10-minute rest period for every 4-hours worked or major portion thereof in one work period; as feasible, approximately in middle of each segment of work period. | Administrative | Applicable to every employer, except employees covered by collective bargaining agreement. |
Scheduling minors in Oregon
Hours notation is the DOL's: daily-weekly-days per week (for example 8-40-6). Where state law is less restrictive than federal law, federal law applies; where it is more restrictive, state law applies (29 U.S.C. 218(a), as quoted by the DOL).
| Age | Maximum hours | Night work prohibited |
|---|---|---|
| Under 16 | 8-40-6 non-school day/week 3-18-6 school day/week | 7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m. |
| 16 and 17 | 44-hour week | Blank on the DOL table |
DOL table footnotes: (a) State hours limitations on a school day and in a school week usually apply only to those enrolled in school. (b) Students of 14 and 15 enrolled in approved Work Experience and Career Exploration programs may work during school hours up to 3 hours on a school day and 23 hours in a school week. (c) Combined hours of work and school.
A blank cell is blank on the DOL table. The federal (FLSA) row of the same DOL table, for minors under 16: 3 hours on a school day and 18 in a school week, 8 hours on a non-school day and 40 in a non-school week, and no work from 7 p.m. (9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day) to 7 a.m.
Tools: overtime calculator · labor cost calculator · all states
This is general information, not legal advice. Check your state labor department for current rules.
Questions
What is the minimum wage in Oregon?
The US DOL (updated November 5, 2026) lists: $15.55 (standard state rate); $16.80 (Portland Metro Area); $14.55 (Non-Urban counties) See the full DOL entry on this page for conditions.
Does Oregon require meal breaks for adults?
Yes, the DOL meal-period table (revised January 1, 2023) lists a requirement for Oregon; see the table on this page.
Does Oregon require paid rest breaks?
Yes, Oregon is listed in the DOL paid rest-period table (revised January 1, 2023); see the table on this page.
Sources
- US DOL, Overtime Pay (checked 2026-11-12)
- State Minimum Wage Laws (US DOL) (checked 2026-11-12)
- Minimum Length of Meal Period Required under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector 1 (US DOL) (checked 2026-11-12)
- Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law for Adult Employees in Private Sector (US DOL) (checked 2026-11-12)
- Selected State Child Labor Standards Affecting Minors Under 18 in Non-farm Employment as of July 15, 2025 (US DOL) (checked 2026-11-12)
- US DOL, Breaks and Meal Periods (checked 2026-11-12)