Minimum Wage Preemption: Gresham vs Portland
How do minimum wage preemption rules compare between Gresham, OR and Portland, OR?
Gresham and Portland have similar restriction levels.
Gresham, OR
Multnomah County
ORS 653.025 sets a three-tier statewide minimum wage and ORS 653.017 preempts cities and counties from adopting different local minimums.
View full Gresham rules →Portland, OR
Multnomah County
Oregon's three-tier minimum wage law (ORS 653.025, originally Senate Bill 1532 of 2016) sets a higher Portland Metro rate for work performed inside the urban growth boundary covering parts of Multnomah, Washington, and Clackamas counties. The current rate (July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026) is $15.45 per hour, increasing to $15.95 on July 1, 2026. Oregon law preempts cities from setting their own minimum wage (ORS 653.017).
View full Portland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Gresham | Portland |
|---|---|---|
| - | - | |
| State Statute | - | ORS 653.025 |
| Tier | - | Portland Metro (inside UGB) |
| Current Rate | - | $15.45/hr (Jul 2025-Jun 2026) |
| Next Rate | - | $15.95/hr (eff. Jul 1, 2026) |
| Local Preemption | - | ORS 653.017 -- no city wage |
| Tip Credit | - | Not allowed in Oregon |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Gresham FAQ
Can Portland set its own minimum wage?
No. ORS 653.017 preempts local minimum-wage ordinances different from state law.
Are tipped workers paid less?
No. Oregon prohibits tip credits, so all tipped employees earn at least the tier rate.
Portland FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Portland in 2026?
$15.45 per hour through June 30, 2026, then $15.95 per hour starting July 1, 2026 under the Portland Metro tier of ORS 653.025. The rate applies to any work physically performed inside the Metro urban growth boundary, regardless of where the employer is located.
Can Portland enact its own higher city minimum wage?
No. ORS 653.017 expressly preempts any Oregon city or county from setting a local minimum wage above the state tier. The Portland Metro rate already exceeds standard and nonurban Oregon rates, but the city itself has no authority to layer a higher city wage.
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