Oklahoma Voters Set To Decide On Potential Minimum Wage Increase

In a little less than two years, voters can choose to raise the minimum wage to $12 an hour in 2027, which will gradually increase each year until 2029.

Many people said it’s time to raise the wage from $7.25 an hour, with how expensive the cost of living has become.

Others said it’s not fair to force the change on business owners who are already struggling to make ends meet.

The minimum wage state question will be put to a vote in June 2026.

Voters will decide if the minimum wage should go up to $12 an hour in 2027, up to $15 an hour by 2029

“Our lowest paid employee is $13 an hour,” said Reagan Eardman. “We wholeheartedly believe when we are good to our people, they are good to us.”

Reagan Eardman is a bookkeeper and tax preparer in Pryor, and her family owns four small businesses in the town.

Even though her business pays higher wages, she said raising the minimum wage will have a negative impact.

“When you force their hand, you'll force people to make layoffs,” she said. 

She said inflation is high now and that will hopefully go down soon.

But some think it's time to change the minimum wage now.

“You know, this is really disrespecting the will of the voters and delaying and denying a pay raise for 320,000 Oklahomans,” said Amber England with Raise the Wage Oklahoma. 

We talked to Oklahomans on social media about their thoughts.

Brandon said, “We should all be trying to figure out how to bring all pay up …. Record profits for companies while their workers struggle is wrong!”

Kevin said, “There’s no way a person can make it, from rent, their utilities and food, there’s no way.”

“I hope there are still good employers who do want to pay employees fair wage, but forcing their hands to do so is going to be a detriment to people,” Eardman said. 

The state question also said after being capped at $15 an hour in 2029, the minimum wage will automatically increase based on the cost of living.

It could have gone on November's ballot, but the Secretary of State recommended a June 2026 vote since it will be a statewide primary, and he said that will save taxpayers nearly $2 million.