Oklahoma has no state overtime laws. Only federal overtime law applies.

Oklahoma has adopted the federal minimum wage rate, which is currently $7.25. Tipped employees can be paid $2.13 per hour, as long as their total earnings (cash wage plus tips) meet the minimum wage.

Oklahoma state law does not provide meal or rest breaks for employees 16 and older. For employees under the age of 16, who may only work in agriculture or domestic service, rest breaks of one hour must be provided for every eight hours worked; if they work at least five hours but not eight, they are entitled to a half-hour rest break.

If your employer owes you wages, you can file a wage claim with the Oklahoma Department of Labor. The Department of Labor is authorized to hold a hearing and, if it determines that your claim is valid, it can issue a binding order to your employer to pay. If the Department of Labor decides to take your case to court, you will receive double the wages you are owed.

Do not delay in contacting the Oklahoma Department of Labor to file a claim. While it is unclear what the time deadlines are, the Department will not be able to assist you if a long period of time has elapsed since your employer was supposed to pay you. As you might have other legal claims with strict time deadlines, do not wait to file your claim. It may be helpful to consult with an attorney before filing your claim, but it is not necessary to have an attorney to file your claim with the district and federal administrative agencies.

Instead of filing a wage claim with the Department of Labor, you or your attorney may also file a lawsuit in any court of competent jurisdiction. If you win, the court may require your employer to pay your attorneys’ fees and costs, as well as pay you double what you are owed in unpaid wages. It is unclear under state law what the statute of limitations is for such a case, but you should not wait to bring it once you have consulted an attorney.