Oregon’s minimum wage could take the title as the most complex in the nation.
It is governed by a unique system that is generally applied by county — the more densely populated an area is, the higher the rate.
But the rates don’t perfectly align with county boundaries, making tracking and applying minimum wage rates especially cumbersome for employers with locations in Oregon.
Accordingly, Oregon’s minimum wage has three separate rates that increase on July 1, 2026, as follows:
$16.80 per hour – Portland Metro
Areas within the Urban Growth Boundary, including parts of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington counties.
$15.55 per hour – Standard
Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Deschutes, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Polk, Tillamook, Wasco, Yamhill, and parts of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington outside the Urban Growth Boundary.
$14.55 per hour – Non-Urban
Baker, Coos, Crook, Curry, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Wheeler counties.
Again, the rates aren’t always applied evenly across counties. Fortunately, the state provides an Urban Growth Boundary tool to help employers identify which rates apply to their locations.
Lastly, Oregon does not have a separate rate for tipped employees.