Minimum Wage in Cincinnati, OH (2026)
Cincinnati, Ohio follows the Ohio state minimum wage of $11.00/hour in 2026. As of 2026-09-10, TipFig identified no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance for Cincinnati, so employers apply the state rate shown below. Below: how the federal, state, and local layers interact, the tipped-wage rules, and the official sources behind every figure.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · 2026-09-10 · reviewed against primary tipping and tax sources
Applicable minimum wage in Cincinnati (2026)
$11.00/hr
Set by Ohio state law — the highest applicable layer (federal, state, or local) an employer must pay.
Federal, State & Local Layers
Federal Min
$7.25/hr
OH State Min
$11.00/hr
Local (City) Min
None — follows state
Tipped Cash Wage
$5.50/hr
State Effective
January 1, 2026 (through December 31, 2026)
Tip Credit?
Yes
Ohio's minimum wage (Ohio Constitution Art. II § 34a) applies to employers with annual gross receipts above $405,000; smaller employers and workers under 16 remain at the federal $7.25. Ohio state law does not allow cities — including Cincinnati — to set their own minimum wage, so the $11.00 state rate applies. The tipped cash wage is $5.50/hour (tip credit $5.50).
How the Layers Interact
Three levels of government can set a minimum wage: the federal floor (Fair Labor Standards Act, $7.25/hour in 2026), the state rate, and any local (city or county) ordinance. By law, an employer must pay the highest rate that applies to the worker. When a state or city sets a rate above the federal floor, the higher rate governs; the federal rate is the backstop.
In Cincinnati, no local ordinance overrides the Ohio state rate, so the state minimum of $11.00/hour is the applicable wage. Tipped employees may be paid a lower direct cash wage only where state law allows a tip credit; California and other no-tip-credit states require tipped workers to receive the full minimum wage before tips.
Related TipFig Tools
Turn the minimum wage into take-home pay and compare hourly vs. salary with our calculators.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Cincinnati, Ohio in 2026?
As of 2026-09-10, Cincinnati has no separate municipal minimum-wage ordinance that TipFig identified, so employers apply the Ohio state minimum wage of $11.00/hour (effective January 1, 2026 (through December 31, 2026)). The federal floor is $7.25/hour; the higher state rate governs. Source: Ohio Department of Commerce — Ohio Minimum Wage Set to Increase in 2026.
Does Cincinnati have its own minimum wage or follow Ohio state law?
As of 2026-09-10, Cincinnati follows Ohio state law ($11.00/hour). Ohio's minimum wage (Ohio Constitution Art. II § 34a) applies to employers with annual gross receipts above $405,000; smaller employers and workers under 16 remain at the federal $7.25. Ohio state law does not allow cities — including Cincinnati — to set their own minimum wage, so the $11.00 state rate applies. The tipped cash wage is $5.50/hour (tip credit $5.50).
What is the tipped minimum wage in Cincinnati?
In Ohio, tipped employees may be paid a cash wage of $5.50/hour, with a tip credit making up the difference to the full $11.00/hour minimum. If tips don't bring total pay to the minimum, the employer must make up the shortfall.
Where can I verify the Cincinnati minimum wage?
The authoritative figures are published by Ohio Department of Commerce — Ohio Minimum Wage Set to Increase in 2026 (https://com.ohio.gov/wps/portal/gov/com/about-us/media-center/news/ohio-minimum-wage-set-to-increase-in-2026) and the U.S. Department of Labor Consolidated Minimum Wage Table. Minimum wages change frequently; always confirm the current rate with the official agency before making wage or payroll decisions.
Other Minimum-Wage City Pages
Minimum-wage figures are compiled from public government sources for informational use and may change; verify with the official agency before making wage or payroll decisions. State minimum-wage source: Ohio Department of Commerce — Ohio Minimum Wage Set to Increase in 2026 (retrieved 2026-09-10). Federal minimum wage: U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Consolidated Minimum Wage Table (Effective July 1, 2026) (retrieved 2026-09-10). This page is not legal advice. See TipFig's Disclaimer.