Minimum Wage in Washington County, Oregon
- Other Cities for Zip Code 97229
- 97229 - CEDAR MILL
- 97229 - PORTLAND
- Other Counties for Zip Code 97229
- 97229 - MULTNOMAH
- 97229 - WASHINGTON
Portland, OR Minimum Wage and Wage Claims
What Is the Minimum Wage in Portland, OR?
You are entitled to the highest minimum wage that applies where you work, whether set by your city, county, or state government. (Most cities and counties don’t have their own minimum wage laws.)
Portland Minimum Wage
Within the urban growth boundary that defines the Portland metropolitan area, the minimum wage is $14 an hour.
To learn more about the minimum wage in Portland, see https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/minimum-wage.aspx.
Washington County Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Washington County depends on whether you work within the urban growth boundary that defines the Portland metropolitan area. If so, the current minimum wage is $15.45 an hour. If you work in Washington County outside of the urban growth boundary, the current minimum wage is $14.20 an hour.
To learn more about the minimum wage in Washington County, see https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/pages/minimum-wage.aspx.
Oregon Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Oregon is $15.45 within the Portland Urban Growth Boundary, $13.20 an hour in non-urban counties, and $14.20 an hour everywhere else. Because this is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25, employees in Oregon must be paid the higher state minimum wage.
Visit https://www.oregon.gov/boli/workers/Pages/minimum-wage.aspx to learn more about the minimum wage in Oregon.
What Is the Tipped Minimum Wage in Portland, OR?
Some states and local governments allow employers to pay tipped employees a lower minimum hourly wage; others don't.
Portland Tipped Minimum Wage
The tipped minimum wage in the Portland metropolitan area is $14 an hour. Oregon employers are not allowed to count your tips against the minimum wage.
Washington County Tipped Minimum Wage
In Oregon, employers must pay tipped employees the full minimum wage; tips received do not reduce the minimum wage. Therefore, the tipped minimum wage in Washington County is $15.45 an hour if you work within the Portland metropolitan area, and $14.20 outside of the urban growth boundary.
Oregon Tipped Minimum Wage
The tipped minimum wage in Oregon is the same as the regular minimum wage: $15.45 within the Portland Urban Growth Boundary, $13.20 an hour in non-urban counties, and $14.20 an hour everywhere else. Tips don't count against the employer's obligation to pay the minimum wage.
Who Enforces Portland, OR Minimum Wage Laws?
Portland Enforcement Agency
The minimum wage in Portland is enforced by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. See below for contact information.
Washington County Enforcement Agency
The minimum wage in Washington County is enforced by the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries. See below for contact information.
Oregon Enforcement Agency
If you have questions about Oregon's minimum wage, contact the
Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
URL: https://www.oregon.gov/boli/
Phone: 971-673-0761
Find your local office of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries at https://www.oregon.gov/boli/about/pages/contact-us.aspx.
Email: help@boli.state.or.us
How to File a Wage Claim in Portland, OR
If you were not paid the minimum wage in Portland, OR, you may have the right to file a wage claim or complaint with a government agency. Be sure to look at the wage claim materials (below) for the agency that enforces the law you believe was violated, whether city, county, or state.
All jurisdictions impose a time limit on how far back you may claim unpaid wages, so it's important to file your claim quickly. There may be other restrictions on the claims you may file, such as dollar-amount limits or limits on the agency’s ability to force employers to comply with the law. You may be required to ask your employer to pay you correctly before you file a claim. And, you almost always have the option to go straight to court and file a lawsuit instead of filing a wage claim with a government agency. For these reasons, it often makes sense to talk to an experienced wage and hour lawyer to make sure you know all of your options, understand the strength of your claims, and decide how to proceed.
Filing a Wage Complaint for Violation of Portland's Minimum Wage
If you were not paid the minimum wage in Portland, you may file a wage complaint with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries; see below for more information.
Filing a Wage Complaint for Violation of Washington County's Minimum Wage
If you were not paid the minimum wage in Washington County, you may file a wage complaint with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries; see below for more information.
Filing a Wage Claim with the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries has posted information on filing a wage claim at its website.
Get Help With Portland, OR Wage Claims and Lawsuits
If you are considering filing a wage claim or lawsuit, you may want to speak to a local wage and hour attorney. The resources below can help you find a lawyer near you.
Portland, OR Free or Low-Cost Legal Assistance
Legal aid offices provide free legal assistance to low-income people. Typically, you must qualify for legal aid based on your income. Visit OregonLawHelp to find local resources and legal aid offices.
Some law schools have free legal clinics that provide assistance with specific problems, including wage and hour issues and other employment matters. Find a list of law schools offering legal clinics on a variety of issues at the American Bar Association Center for Pro Bono.
Portland, OR Lawyer Directories
Lawyer Referral Services in Oregon. Check with the Oregon State Bar for information on lawyer referral services in Portland, OR. Lawyer referral services match people with attorneys who specialize in particular legal fields, such as wage and hour law.
NELA’s “Find-A-Lawyer” Service. Search the National Employment Lawyer’s Association’s membership to find Portland, OR lawyers who specialize in wage and hour claims and other employment issues.