Oregon · HR Compliance Guide

Oregon HR Compliance
for Small Businesses

Everything you need to know about employment law in Oregon: minimum wage, leave requirements, pay transparency, final pay rules, and more. Updated for 2026.

Min wage: $15.45–$16.45 (tiered)No tip creditPaid sick leave requiredPaid family leave (12 wks)Pay transparency lawSalary history banEnd-of-next-business-day final pay
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Minimum Wage & Overtime in Oregon

Minimum Wage
$16.45 Portland · $15.45 standard · $14.20 non-urban (July 2025)
Overtime Rule
Federal 40/wk only
Final Pay — Fired
Immediately (fired)
Overtime
Federal 40/wk only
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Minimum Wage — Three-Tier System
July 1, 2025 rates: Portland metro: $16.45/hr · Standard: $15.45/hr · Nonurban counties: $14.20/hr. No tip credit — same rate for tipped and non-tipped workers. Exempt salary threshold: $1,028.40/week ($53,476.80/year) in the standard region. Verify which region your employees work in.
Three tiers — verify your region
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Final Pay — End of Next Business Day
ORS 652.140: involuntary termination requires final pay by the end of the next business day. Voluntary resignation: next regular payday or within 5 days, whichever is earlier. ORS 652.150 penalty: wages continue at the same rate for up to 30 days if employer willfully fails to pay. One of the fastest deadlines in the country.
End of next business day for terminations
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Noncompetes — Strict Advance Notice Required
ORS 653.295: employee noncompetes are void UNLESS the employer provides written notice at least 2 weeks before the start date (or at time of bona fide advancement), the employee earns over $113,241/year (2026, CPI-indexed), and is an exempt employee. Maximum duration: 12 months. Garden leave or additional consideration required.
Void without 2-week advance notice + salary threshold

Paid Leave Requirements in Oregon

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Paid Sick Leave
Yes — 1hr/30hrs. 40hrs/yr protected, 80hrs paid (10+ employees).
Required
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Paid Family & Medical Leave
Yes — OR Paid Leave: up to 12 weeks at 60–100% wages.
Required

What You Must Disclose in Oregon

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Pay Transparency
Yes — salary range required in ALL job postings (1+ employees). Salary history ban.
Required
🚫
Salary History
Oregon prohibits asking candidates about their salary history.
Banned
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Noncompete Agreements
Enforceable only if employee earns >$100,574 (2024), 2-yr max, and employer provided 2 weeks advance notice or gave at offer.

Final Pay & Termination Rules in Oregon

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Final Pay in Oregon
Immediately (fired) · Next business day (layoff) · Next regular payday or immediate (quit)

Common HR Situations in Oregon

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Oregon Employment Law — Common Questions

What is the minimum wage in Oregon in 2026?
The minimum wage in Oregon is $16.80 Portland metro · $15.55 standard · $14.20 non-urban (2026) as of 2026. Employers must pay all non-exempt employees at least this rate. Three-tiered minimum wage by geography.
When must an employer pay final wages after termination in Oregon?
In Oregon, final pay timing depends on the type of separation. Immediately (fired) · Next business day (layoff) · Next regular payday or immediate (quit). Failure to pay wages on time can result in civil penalties and a private wage claim — review your payroll calendar before any termination.
Does Oregon require paid sick leave?
Yes. Oregon requires paid sick leave. Yes — 1hr/30hrs. 40hrs/yr protected, 80hrs paid (10+ employees).. Employers should review accrual tracking, carryover, and permissible uses — the law typically covers medical care, domestic violence leave, and public health emergencies.
Does Oregon have paid family and medical leave?
Yes. Oregon has a state paid family and medical leave program. Yes — OR Paid Leave: up to 12 weeks at 60–100% wages.. Employers should understand contribution obligations, employee notice requirements, and how the program coordinates with any private short-term disability policy.
Does Oregon require pay transparency in job postings?
Yes. Oregon requires employers to disclose pay information in job postings. Yes — salary range required in ALL job postings (1+ employees). Salary history ban.. Non-compliance can result in fines and enforcement action — audit all active job listings to ensure compliance.
Are noncompete agreements enforceable in Oregon?
Enforceable only if employee earns >$100,574 (2024), 2-yr max, and employer provided 2 weeks advance notice or gave at offer.. Oregon courts typically require noncompete agreements to protect a legitimate business interest and to be reasonable in scope, geographic area, and duration. Overly broad agreements may be void or reformed by a court.
Can employers ask about salary history in Oregon?
No. Oregon prohibits employers from asking job candidates about their prior salary or compensation history. Violations can result in discrimination claims and enforcement penalties. Train your recruiters and update any intake forms, application portals, or interview scripts that still ask about prior pay.

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