United States · Minimum wage 2026 · Colorado
Colorado minimum wage 2026
The Colorado minimum wage is $15.16 an hour in 2026, which is $31,533 a year for a full-time job. It rises to $15.71 an hour on January 1, 2027. After tax, a single full-time worker keeps about $26,699.
Colorado · $15.16 an hour (the 2026 rate) · 40 hours a week
$26,699 a year after tax
$31,533 a year before tax · $2,224.90 a month after tax
| Before tax | After tax | |
|---|---|---|
| A week | $606.40 | $513.44 |
| A month | $2,627.73 | $2,224.90 |
| A year | $31,533 | $26,699 |
- Taken off for the year: $1,603.94 federal income tax, $2,412.26 Social Security and Medicare, and $817.79 Colorado tax and payroll contributions. Single filer, one job, nothing taken before tax.
- A year is 52 weeks of 40 hours (2,080 hours).
How much is the Colorado minimum wage a year?
At $15.16 an hour, before tax, and after tax for a single filer. A year is 52 weeks.
| Hours a week | A week | A month | A year | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | $606.40 | $2,627.73 | $31,533 | $26,699 |
| 30 | $454.80 | $1,970.80 | $23,650 | $20,649 |
| 20 | $303.20 | $1,313.87 | $15,766 | $14,491 |
Full time, $1,604 goes in federal income tax, $2,412 in Social Security and Medicare and $818 in Colorado tax, leaving $2,224.90 a month.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Colorado?
Employers in Colorado can pay tipped workers a cash wage of $12.14 an hour, as long as tips bring them up to at least $15.16: tips must cover up to $3.02 of each hour. At 40 hours a week the cash wage alone is $485.60.
From January 1, 2027, the tipped cash wage becomes $12.69 an hour.
Will the Colorado minimum wage go up in 2027?
It rises to $15.71 an hour on January 1, 2027.
At $15.71, a full-time year is $32,677, $1,144 more than in 2026, and take-home pay about $27,563 on the 2026 tax rules. The state says: “Colorado’s minimum wage will increase to $15.71 per hour in 2027, and $12.69 for tipped workers.”
Are there exceptions in Colorado?
Cities with their own rate, from January 1, 2027:
- Denver: $19.84 an hour
- City of Boulder: $18.17 an hour
- Edgewater: $19.84 an hour
Colorado’s rate is $7.91 an hour above the federal $7.25.
What does this leave out?
- Rates for particular jobs or employers the data does not list, training and youth wages beyond those shown, and overtime.
- In take-home pay: local taxes, other income, credits and pre-tax deductions; it is a single filer with one job.
- City and county rates the data does not cover.
What else can I work out?
- Colorado paycheck calculator Take-home pay for any wage or salary in Colorado, per paycheck, with 401(k) and HSA.
- Minimum wage by state Every state’s 2026 rate, tipped wage and 2027 change, side by side.
- California minimum wage $16.90 an hour in 2026.
- Connecticut minimum wage $16.94 an hour in 2026.
- Hourly to salary calculator Any hourly wage as a yearly salary, and back, with take-home pay.
Questions about the Colorado minimum wage
What is the minimum wage in Colorado in 2026?
$15.16 an hour, since January 1, 2026.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Colorado?
Employers in Colorado can pay tipped workers a cash wage of $12.14 an hour, as long as tips bring them up to at least $15.16: tips must cover up to $3.02 of each hour. At 40 hours a week the cash wage alone is $485.60.
Will the Colorado minimum wage go up in 2027?
It rises to $15.71 an hour on January 1, 2027.
How much is $15.16 an hour a year?
$31,533 a year before tax at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks: $2,627.73 a month or $606.40 a week. At 30 hours a week it is $23,650 a year.
How much does a minimum wage job pay after taxes in Colorado?
A single person working 40 hours a week at $15.16 keeps about $26,699 a year ($2,224.90 a month) after $1,604 federal income tax,$2,412 Social Security and Medicare and $818 Colorado tax.
Do cities in Colorado have a higher minimum wage?
Some do. From January 1, 2027: Denver $19.84, City of Boulder $18.17, Edgewater $19.84.