Colorado Minimum Wage in 2026: $15.16 an Hour
The minimum wage in Colorado is $15.16 an hour since January 1, 2026, $7.91 above the federal minimum. Full time that is $31,533 a year before tax.
Colorado minimum wage at a glance
| Minimum wage | $15.16 an hour |
|---|---|
| In effect since | January 1, 2026 |
| Next change | $15.71 on Jan 1, 2027 |
| Tipped cash wage | $12.14 an hour |
| Overtime rate | $22.74 an hour |
| Federal minimum | $7.25 an hour |
Denver sets a higher local minimum, and Edgewater and unincorporated Boulder County also set their own rates.
What $15.16 an hour pays
| A week (40 hours) | $606.40 |
|---|---|
| A 50-hour week with overtime | $833.80 |
| A month | $2,628 |
| A year | $31,533 |
| Take-home a year (single) | $26,699 |
Colorado and its neighbors
For employers in Colorado
- Pay at least $15.16 an hour, and $15.71 from January 1, 2027; a higher city or county rate applies where it exists.
- Overtime: time and a half after 40 hours in a workweek, and after 12 hours in a workday.
- Pay transparency: Every internal and external posting must include the hourly or salary rate or range, a general description of benefits and other compensation (bonuses, commissions, tips), and how and when to apply, including an application deadline. Details →
- A full-time hire at $15.16 an hour costs more than $31,533 once payroll taxes and insurance are added. Employee cost calculator →
Source: cdle.colorado.gov, checked October 12, 2026. General information, not legal advice.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Colorado in 2026?
$15.16 an hour, since January 1, 2026. Denver sets a higher local minimum, and Edgewater and unincorporated Boulder County also set their own rates.
How much is the Colorado minimum wage a year?
$31,533 a year for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks: $2,628 a month or $606.40 a week before tax. After federal and state taxes a single filer takes home about $26,699 a year.
Is the Colorado minimum wage going up?
Yes: to $15.71 an hour on January 1, 2027.
What is overtime pay at minimum wage in Colorado?
$22.74 an hour (time and a half) for hours over 40 in a workweek, and Colorado also pays overtime after 12 hours in a workday. A 50-hour week at minimum wage pays $833.80.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Colorado?
Employers may pay tipped workers a cash wage of $12.14 an hour if tips bring them up to $15.16; if not, the employer must pay the difference.
Do cities in Colorado have a higher minimum wage?
Not that we list. If your city or county sets its own minimum wage, the higher rate applies where the work is done.
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