As they prepare for July payroll, employers should keep in mind that increased minimum wage rates take effect July 1, 2026. These increases continue Oregon’s system of geographically tiered wages adjusted annually for inflation.
Oregon maintains a three-tier minimum wage structure based on where employees perform their work (as opposed to where the company is located). The new rates are:
- Portland Metro (within the Urban Growth Boundary, including parts of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties): $16.80 per hour
- Standard Counties (most mid-sized and coastal counties and areas outside the urban growth boundary): $15.55 per hour
- Non-Urban Counties (designated rural counties): $14.55 per hour
Employers with questions about which boundary applies can consult BOLI’s interactive map.
Because Oregon law mandates automatic Consumer Price Index-based increases, employers should expect annual adjustments each July 1.