Reps. Jarrells, Mohamed Reintroduce Legislation to Raise Ohio's Minimum Wage

COLUMBUS — Assistant Minority Leader Dontavius L. Jarrells (D-Columbus) and State Representative Ismail Mohamed (D-Columbus) have reintroduced legislation to gradually increase Ohio’s minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2030, ensuring that working Ohioans can keep up with rising costs and economic demands.

“At $10.45 per hour, Ohio’s minimum wage is not enough for working families to stay afloat,” said Rep. Jarrells. “No one should have to work multiple jobs just to survive. Raising wages means strengthening families, stabilizing communities, and growing our economy.”

The proposed legislation would increase the minimum wage by $1 per hour annually until reaching $15 in 2030, with future adjustments tied to inflation to prevent wages from stagnating as costs rise. Additionally, the bill raises the tipped minimum wage by $0.50 per year for five years, ensuring fair compensation for service industry workers.

A Policy Matters Ohio report estimates that this wage increase would benefit 2M Ohio workers, nearly 37% of the wage-earning workforce, with the average affected worker earning an additional $4,252 annually. Proponents of the increase say it better aligns wages with rising productivity, which has grown six times faster than hourly compensation since 1979.

Research has consistently shown that higher wages reduce turnover, increase productivity, and stimulate job growth, ultimately benefiting both workers and businesses by putting more money back into local economies.

The legislation has been introduced in the Ohio House and is awaiting committee assignment.

For more information, please get in touch with Rep. Jarrells’ office at (614) 466-5343 or Rep01@ohiohouse.gov.