Question: Do we pay employees working remotely the minimum wage of the state where our headquarters is located or the state an employee does the work?

Answer from Marisa, SPHR:

HR Snapshot Marisa SPHRGood question. It comes up a lot with employers who have people working remotely or at a worksite in a different state. The answer is simple: Employees should be paid the minimum wage for the state in which they work, whether this is a satellite office or their own home. Beyond that, it’s important to be aware that some cities and counties have even higher minimum wages than the state they are located in. In general, with most employment laws, you should adhere to the law that is most beneficial to the employee.


Marisa has experience working in a wide variety of HR areas, including payroll, staffing, and on-/ off-boarding. She has worked at both national and local companies, in a wide range of businesses and industries. Marisa earned her B.S. in Business Administration and Communications from the University of Oregon. She loves watching football and basketball, volunteering, and spending time with her two dogs.