Starting on January 1, 2025, Ohioans will see their minimum wage increase from $10.45 an hour to $10.70 an hour for non-tipped employees. Tipped employees will see an increase from $5.25 to $5.35. This will only apply to companies with annual gross receipts of at least $394,000, up from the current requirement of at least $385,000. For workers at companies below those limits, the minimum wage is $7.25.
This also applies to 14 and 15-year-old workers. Ohio’s minimum wage has increased every year since an amendment to the Ohio Constitution in 2006. The amendment raised the minimum wage at the time from $5.15 to $6.85 an hour and required that it be adjusted every January to reflect cost-of-living increases. It also laid out the annual gross receipts requirements. The amendment was the result of a citizen-led ballot initiative.
The United States’ minimum wage varies based on where the business is located. There is a federal minimum wage of $7.25 an hour. States then set their own minimums, provided they’re at or above $7.25. Municipalities within states can then raise the minimum wage in their cities higher than the state’s minimum. 20 states have a minimum wage of $7.25 and seven states are at $15 or more. Ohio ranks 24th for lowest wage, specifically for non-tipped employees. So, considering the many differences in minimum wage, what do Upper Arlington High School students make?
While the minimum wage is currently only $10.45, most UAHS students working traditional “minimum wage jobs” tend to make more, especially tipped employees whose minimum is only $5.25. However, many still make less than what other states
require. Wages in Upper Arlington are considered appropriate pay for the work being done by many UAHS students.
Senior Luke Friedman works as a porter and makes $12 an hour plus tips.
“I think it’s probably a correct amount. I mean I do a lot of running around and stuff and making sure everything’s alright in the back too,” he said.
Friedman also pointed out that minor differences in wages may not mean as much to kids.
“I don’t really need much as a high school student,” he said.
While higher salaries aren’t as essential to students as they are to full-time adult workers, they can help to give them financial independence from their parents as they prepare to be on their own. They can also help with saving for college and having increased spending money as the holiday season approaches. However, there are other benefits to holding a job while in school.
Junior Conner Wheat works as a sales associate at Spirit Halloween.
“I mean the job I do because of passion, cause I’m very passionate about Halloween so you know money is not really a big factor for me but at the same time it’s a job,” he said. “There’s definitely jobs that pay higher but I enjoy the job.”
Friedman points out that Upper Arlington workers likely make more due to higher tips that stem from wealthier customers having more disposable income.
“I feel like, especially based off tips, I feel like people tip more in areas like this than they would in different areas,” he said.
As wages continue to rise all over the country, students can look forward to higher and higher salaries as they set their sights on the future.
