Minimum wage changes effective July 1
Oregon employers need to remember two important points about the minimum wage in this state.
First, Oregon’s minimum wage is tied to inflation. Annual increases in inflation (as measured by the Consumer Price Index) will result in an increase to the minimum wage, which becomes effective July 1 of each year.
Second, Oregon's minimum wage varies based on location.
For the period from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, the minimum wage is:
- $16.30 per hour in the Portland metro area
- $15.05 per hour for the standard rate
- $14.05 per hour in non-urban counties (Baker, Coos, Crook, Curry, Douglas, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, and Wheeler)
More information, including a map showing the minimum wage in each county, is available on the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) website.
Free workplace safety consultations
As a small business owner, keeping your employees safe and your workplace healthy is a top priority. Did you know that Oregon Occupational Safety and Health (Oregon OSHA) offers a free and confidential consultation program designed just for you? This program is a helpful resource that can save you money and protect your team.
Oregon OSHA’s consultants are experts in workplace safety, health, and even ergonomics (making workspaces comfortable and efficient). They can visit your business, help you spot potential hazards, and offer practical advice on how to fix them. The best part? These consultations are completely separate from inspections, so you won't get citations or penalties. It's all about helping you create a safer work environment, improve productivity, and even lower your workers' compensation costs.
Learn more at the Oregon OSHA Consultation Services page.
2025 legislative session concludes
The Oregon Legislative Assembly adjourned at the end of June. Over the past six months, while the legislature was in session, the Office of Small Business Assistance (OSBA) tracked over 1100 measures affecting small business. The legislature passed 213, many of which the Governor has already signed into law. Based on the types of questions our office receives, and the kinds of small businesses that often turn to us for help, we want to call attention to four new laws enacted this year:
House Bill (HB) 2248 creates the Employer Assistance Division within the Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) to provide education, training, and interpretive guidance, including advisory opinions, to employers. The division will assist employers in complying with employment laws enforced by BOLI. Effective September 26, 2025.
HB 3187 changes the laws that prohibit employment discrimination based on age. It will be against the law for an employer or a prospective employer, prior to conducting an initial interview or making a conditional offer of employment, to ask for an applicant’s age, date of birth, or when the applicant attended or graduated from any educational institution. Effective September 26, 2025.
Senate Bill (SB) 426 establishes who is liable for unpaid wages to workers on construction projects. The property owner and the direct contractor will be liable in a civil action for any unpaid wages to an unrepresented employee of the direct contractor and any subcontractor. Effective January 1, 2026.
SB 551 prohibits restaurants and retailers from providing single-use checkout bags to consumers. Effective January 1, 2026.
The complete list of small business legislation that passed the legislature is available on our Small Business Legislation page.
Guidance for food truck businesses
The Mobile Food Unit Operation Guide, published by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), explains the rules and requirements to operate a food truck, trailer, or cart. The Guide is available in English and Spanish. OHA's Mobile Unit Information page has more resources, including links to food sanitation code fact sheets available in English, Spanish, Russian, and 16 other languages.
Training & technical assistance for childcare providers
Childcare providers looking for technical assistance, financial support, or affordable professional development opportunities can turn to their regional Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) program. Oregon has 15 CCR&Rs, which are regional programs funded by the Department of Early Learning and Care to support early learning and care programs. If you are a childcare provider or are interested in starting a business that provides childcare, you’ll want to connect with your regional CCR&R to learn more about the kind of help that’s available. You can find more information on the Oregon CCR&R Central Coordination website.
|
