$15 Wage Proposal Could Lift Pay for 180,000 Oklahoma Hospitality Workers, OysterLink Finds
Key Takeaways:
- 12 of the 16 major hospitality roles analyzed pay below the proposed $15 minimum wage.
- Median wages for high-volume roles — fast food workers ($11.34), cashiers ($13.04), hosts ($10.78), and waitstaff ($9.56) — fall 20% to 36% under the proposed rate.
- A $15 minimum wage would require immediate raises of 16% to over 50% in several frontline jobs.
- Oklahoma remains at $7.25, below 34 states that already set higher minimum wages.
OKLAHOMA CITY, Dec. 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Oklahoma'sJune 2026 vote on State Question 832, which would raise the state minimum wage from $7.25 to $15 by 2029, could trigger one of the largest wage increases for hospitality workers in state history, according to a new OysterLink analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Oklahoma currently matches the federal minimum wage and trails 34 states with higher baseline pay. If approved, the increase to $15 would more than double the wage floor, significantly affecting frontline hospitality roles where current median wages fall between $9.56 and $14.54.
Occupation | Median Hourly Wage | Gap vs Proposed $15 | % Increase Needed |
Fast Food & Counter Workers | $11.34 | –$3.66 | +32 % |
Waiters & Waitresses | $9.56 | –$5.44 | +57 % |
Hosts & Hostesses | $10.78 | –$4.22 | +39 % |
Bartenders | $10.40 | –$4.60 | +44 % |
Dishwashers | $12.77 | –$2.23 | +17 % |
Cashiers | $13.04 | –$1.96 | +15 % |
Concierges | $13.74 | –$1.26 | +9 % |
Bakers | $14.54 | –$0.46 | +3 % |
Restaurant Cooks | $14.72 | –$0.28 | +2 % |
Baggage Porters & Bellhops | $10.25 | –$4.75 | +46 % |
Maids & Housekeeping Cleaners | $13.18 | –$1.82 | +14 % |
Receptionists | $16.17 | Above +$1.17 | N/A |
Chefs & Head Cooks | $25.63 | Above +$10.63 | N/A |
Event Planners | $22.31 | Above +$7.31 | N/A |
Lodging Managers | $23.07 | Above +$8.07 | N/A |
Food Service Managers | $30.74 | Above +$15.74 | N/A |
Major occupations, including fast food workers, waitstaff, hosts, bartenders, dishwashers, and cashiers, sit several dollars below the proposed minimum. Even roles earning close to the threshold, such as bakers ($14.54 median) and concierges ($13.74 median), would likely see upward adjustments due to wage compression and competitive hiring.
With more than 180,000 Oklahomans working in hospitality-related roles, the impacts would extend across restaurants, hotels, events, and tourism.
"Raising the minimum wage would reshape how hospitality workers are paid across Oklahoma," said Milos Eric, Co-Founder and General Manager at OysterLink, the hospitality job and career platform that conducted the review.
"From dishwashers in Tulsa to fast-food crews in Lawton, the data shows a clear shift in compensation, especially in the high-turnover jobs that are still several dollars below $15."
About OysterLink
OysterLink is a job platform for restaurant and hospitality professionals with over 400,000 monthly visitors. OysterLink connects talent with opportunities across the U.S., including the top-paying server jobs in Oklahoma City and bartender jobs in Oklahoma City.
The platform also offers trend reports, expert insights, and interviews with leaders in hospitality. To explore more data-driven insights or post a job that works for today's talent, visit www.oysterlink.com.
Media Contact
Ana Demidova
ana@oysterlink.com
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SOURCE OysterLink