Colorado's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in Colorado is $15.16 an hour, $7.91 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. It rises to $15.71 on Jan 1, 2027. Full time, that is $31,533 a year before taxes. Source Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $26,232 a year, or $1,008.93 every two weeks.
What the Colorado minimum wage pays
| At $15.16 | From Jan 1, 2027 ($15.71) | |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $15.16 | $15.71 |
| Per 8-hour day | $121.28 | $125.68 |
| Per 40-hour week | $606.40 | $628.40 |
| Every two weeks | $1,212.80 | $1,256.80 |
| Per month | $2,627.73 | $2,723.07 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $31,532.80 | $32,676.80 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $1,008.93 | $1,042.17 |
| Take-home per year | $26,232.18 | $27,096.42 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Colorado income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $15,766 a year and about $14,039 after taxes.
Colorado minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 an hour in 2026 and is updated every year. Tipped workers can be paid up to $3.02 less ($12.14) if tips make up the difference. | Colorado CDLE, 2026 COMPS Order Poster |
| Minimum wage in 2027 | Colorado's minimum wage rises to $15.71 an hour in 2027, and to $12.69 for tipped workers. Some cities set their own higher rate; Denver's 2027 local minimum wage will be $19.84. | Colorado CDLE, Press Release: Minimum Wage will Increase to $15.71/hour in 2027 |
| Overtime | Non-exempt employees get 1.5 times their regular rate for work over 40 hours in a workweek, over 12 hours in a workday, or over 12 hours in a row, no matter when the workday starts. | Colorado CDLE, COMPS Order #39 (Rule 4.1.1) |
How Colorado's minimum wage compares
Colorado has the 10th-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC.
The typical (median) worker in Colorado earns $28.75 an hour, so the minimum wage is 53% of the median wage. 10% of Colorado workers earn less than $17.48 an hour and 25% less than $21.00 (BLS, May 2025, all 2,873,900 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in Colorado, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $17.13 | 5,430 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $17.17 | 2,970 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $17.20 | 10,820 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $17.44 | 82,010 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $17.47 | 9,490 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $17.67 | 5,520 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $31,533 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | None |
| 1 child | $3,206 | $4,367 |
| 2 children | $5,706 | $7,237 |
| 3 children or more | $6,621 | $8,152 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $31,533 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $788 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,577. Source
Colorado minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Colorado?
$15.16 an hour. It rises to $15.71 on Jan 1, 2027.
How much is the Colorado minimum wage a year?
$31,533 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,628 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $26,232.
How much is the Colorado minimum wage after taxes?
About $1,008.93 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and Colorado taxes.
Is Colorado's minimum wage going up?
Yes. It rises to $15.71 an hour on Jan 1, 2027, adding $1,144 a year for a full-time worker.
What is time and a half at the Colorado minimum wage?
$22.74 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Arizona minimum wage ($15.15) · Maine minimum wage ($15.10) · Delaware minimum wage ($15.00) · Florida minimum wage ($15.00) · Illinois minimum wage ($15.00) · Maryland minimum wage ($15.00) · Massachusetts minimum wage ($15.00) · Missouri minimum wage ($15.00)
Related
Colorado paycheck calculator · $15 an hour is how much a year · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $15.16
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.