# Labor Rights in Oregon

[Labor rights by state](/labor-rights/)

Oregon combines a tiered, inflation-indexed minimum wage ($15.55 to $16.80) with no tip credit, statewide paid sick time, and one of the country's most generous paid leave programs (Paid Leave Oregon, up to $1,692.16 per week). Meal and rest breaks are strictly regulated, and missed or shortened meal periods can trigger wage claims. Overtime is 1.5x after 40 hours, with daily overtime rules for manufacturing and farm workers.

Data last verified 2026-10-12

## Workplace rights in Oregon at a glance

  Minimum wage (2026)$15.55 standard rate, $16.80 in the Portland metro area (urban growth boundary), and $14.55 in designated nonurban counties, all effective July 1, 2026. Indexed annually to inflation each July 1.Tipped minimum wage (2026)Same regional rates ($15.55 / $16.80 / $14.55). Oregon prohibits tip credits entirely. Tipped workers get the full regional minimum wage plus tips.Overtime1.5x after 40 hours in a workweek (federal FLSA baseline). Oregon also requires daily overtime (1.5x after 10 hours in a day) for employees in mills, factories, and manufacturing establishments, and agricultural workers earn overtime after 48 hours per week.Paid sick leaveStatewide mandate: employees accrue 1 hour of sick time per 30 hours worked, up to 40 hours per year. Employers with 10 or more employees (6 or more in Portland) must pay it; smaller employers must provide it unpaid.Paid family and medical leavePaid Leave Oregon. Funded by a 1% payroll contribution in 2026 (employees pay 60%, i.e., 0.6%; employers with 25 or more employees pay 40%). Pays up to 12 weeks of family or medical leave (14 weeks for pregnancy-related conditions), with a maximum weekly benefit of $1,692.16 for claims starting on or after June 28, 2026.Meal breaks30-minute unpaid meal period for work periods over 6 hours. The employee must be fully relieved of duty. Waivers are very limited.Rest breaksPaid 10-minute rest period for every 4-hour segment (or major part of it, meaning 2 hours 1 minute to 4 hours) of the work period. An 8-hour shift gets two paid rest breaks.Right-to-work lawNoAt-will employmentOregon is an at-will employment state. Recognized exceptions: implied contract and public policy. Whether Oregon recognizes the covenant-of-good-faith exception is disputed across legal sources, so confirm with an employment attorney on that point. Confirm with your state labor department.Final paycheckFired: by the end of the next business day after separation. Quit: immediately if the employee gave at least 48 hours notice; otherwise within 5 days (excluding weekends and holidays).

## How Oregon compares to federal law

Oregon sets a minimum wage above the federal floor of $7.25 an hour, so the state rate is what most employers must pay. Unlike most states, Oregon also requires daily overtime pay, which goes beyond the federal rule of time-and-a-half after 40 hours a week.

## Neighboring states

- [**Washington**$17.13 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.](/labor-rights/washington/)
- [**Idaho**$7.25 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.](/labor-rights/idaho/)
- [**Nevada**$12.00 minimum wage, paid sick leave no, right-to-work yes.](/labor-rights/nevada/)
- [**California**$16.90 minimum wage, paid sick leave yes, right-to-work no.](/labor-rights/california/)

[Compare all 50 states and DC side by side](/labor-rights/)

Workplace laws change. This summary reflects state law as verified on 2026-10-12; confirm details with your state labor department before acting on it.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why does Oregon have three minimum wages?

State law sets a Portland metro rate ($16.80), a standard rate ($15.55), and a nonurban rate ($14.55), effective July 1, 2026. The rate that applies depends on where you perform the work, and all three adjust for inflation each July 1.

### What happens if my employer shortens my meal break?

Oregon law treats pay owed for a shortened meal period as wages, not a penalty. You can recover the unpaid wages plus penalties of up to 30 days' wages if you were terminated.

### How much does Paid Leave Oregon pay?

Up to 100% of wages for lower earners, capped at $1,692.16 per week for claims starting on or after June 28, 2026, for up to 12 weeks (14 for pregnancy-related leave).

### When do I get my final paycheck in Oregon?

If fired, by the end of the next business day. If you quit with at least 48 hours notice, immediately; without notice, within 5 days (weekends and holidays excluded).