Dishwasher Overtime Pay Calculation under Ohio Laws: Key Takeaways
- Dishwashers in Ohio are typically non-exempt employees eligible for overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular hourly wage.
- The Ohio minimum wage in 2025 is $10.45, making the minimum overtime rate $15.68/hour.
- Employers with gross annual revenues under $150,000 are exempt from overtime rules.
Understanding how to calculate dishwasher overtime pay in Ohio ensures fair compensation and compliance with state labor laws.
This article explains crucial overtime calculation methods and relevant exceptions specific to Ohio dishwashers.
1. Ohio Dishwasher Overtime Pay Basics
Under Ohio law, most dishwashers qualify as non-exempt employees, which means they are entitled to overtime pay. Overtime applies when they work more than 40 hours in a seven-day workweek.
The standard overtime rate is one and a half times the employee’s regular hourly wage. For example, a dishwasher earning $12 per hour would receive $18 per hour for overtime work.
Understanding what non-exempt means in job postings can help employers classify their dishwashers correctly under labor laws.
Minimum Wage and Overtime Rate for Dishwashers in Ohio
Ohio’s minimum wage as of 2025 is $10.45 per hour. Therefore, the minimum overtime rate is calculated as:
- $10.45 × 1.5 = $15.68 per hour
If a dishwasher earns the minimum hourly wage, their overtime rate is $15.68 for every hour worked beyond 40 hours.
Example of Overtime Pay Calculation for Ohio Dishwashers
Consider a dishwasher earning $12.00 per hour who works 45 hours in one week. The overtime pay would be:
- Regular pay for 40 hours: $12.00 × 40 = $480
- Overtime pay for 5 hours: $12.00 × 1.5 × 5 = $90
Total weekly pay = $480 + $90 = $570
2. Key Exceptions to Ohio Dishwasher Overtime Pay Rules
Two important exceptions affect how overtime pay applies in Ohio:
Employer Size Exemption under Ohio Laws
Employers with annual gross revenue under $150,000 are exempt from Ohio’s overtime provisions. Such employers are not required to pay overtime regardless of hours worked.
This exemption means small businesses with low annual revenue may not be obligated to pay overtime to dishwashers, but federal rules may still apply if relevant.
Small restaurant owners can learn more about restaurant staff hiring strategies to manage workforce costs effectively.
Tipped Employee Considerations for Ohio Dishwashers
If a dishwasher receives tips, Ohio allows employers to apply a tip credit of up to 50% of the minimum wage. However, this impacts the base wage and not the overtime rate, which is always calculated on the full minimum wage.
For example, with a minimum wage of $10.45:
- Maximum tip credit: $5.23 per hour
- Minimum wage paid by employer: $5.22 per hour ($10.45 - $5.23)
- Overtime rate: $15.68 per hour (1.5 × full minimum wage)
During overtime, the employer must pay at least the full minimum wage rate multiplied by 1.5 per hour, regardless of any tip credits applied during regular hours.
Employers should also be aware of best practices for posting jobs for tipped employees to attract qualified candidates.
3. Overtime Pay Calculation Rules for Ohio Dishwashers
Calculating overtime pay correctly is vital for compliance and fair treatment.
Step-by-Step Calculation of Dishwasher Overtime Pay in Ohio
- Determine the regular hourly wage: Use the employee’s normal hourly pay rate.
- Calculate the overtime rate: Multiply the regular hourly wage by 1.5.
- Count overtime hours: Calculate hours worked above 40 in a workweek.
- Compute overtime pay: Multiply the overtime hours by the overtime rate.
The sum of regular hourly wages for up to 40 hours and the overtime pay gives total weekly compensation.
Compensatory Time and Its Limitation in Ohio
Ohio private sector employers are not allowed to substitute overtime pay with compensatory time off. Overtime must be paid in wages.
This is an important distinction, as some employers in other states may offer compensatory time off, but Ohio law prevents this in the private sector.
For hospitality employers interested in compliant payroll systems, see our guide on multi-state payroll.
4. Best Practices for Ohio Employers to Comply with Dishwasher Overtime Laws
- Keep accurate records of hours worked by dishwashers to track overtime reliably.
- Ensure overtime pay is calculated using the correct hourly wage and overtime rate.
- Verify if your business meets the employer size exemption threshold before applying overtime rules.
- Understand tip credit rules if your dishwashers receive tips and adjust payroll calculations accordingly.
- Pay overtime wages in cash; do not offer compensatory time as a substitution.
To further improve your kitchen staff management, check our tips on hiring reliable kitchen staff.
5. Useful Official Resources for Ohio Dishwasher Overtime Pay
- Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Industrial Compliance
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division
- Ohio Revised Code Section 4111.03
Dishwasher Overtime Pay Calculation under Ohio Laws: Conclusion
Dishwashers in Ohio are generally entitled to overtime pay at 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for hours worked over 40 per week, following state and federal labor laws.
Exceptions such as employer size and tip-credit rules can affect pay calculations, but understanding these correctly protects both employees and employers.
Employers should track hours carefully, calculate overtime pay accurately, and always comply with Ohio wage laws to maintain fair workplace practices and avoid legal issues.
For employers wanting to write clear duties and expectations, the restaurant job description guide can be very helpful.