Current Minimum Wage in Colorado
The minimum wage in Colorado is $14.81 per hour as of 2026. This is $7.56 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr.
Wage Breakdown
| Pay Period | Gross Pay | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $14.81 | 1 |
| Daily (8 hours) | $118.48 | 8 |
| Weekly | $592 | 40 |
| Biweekly | $1,185 | 80 |
| Monthly | $2,567 | ~173 |
| Annual | $30,805 | 2,080 |
Tipped Employee Wage
Tipped workers in Colorado can be paid a cash wage of $11.79/hr, with the expectation that tips make up the difference to the full $14.81/hr minimum. If tips don't bring total compensation to the minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.
Scheduled Increases
Adjusted annually based on CPI inflation.
Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage
Federal Poverty Line (single)
$15,060/year
Minimum wage is $15,745 above poverty line
Estimated Living Wage (CO)
~$17.85/hr
Based on cost of living index (105)
Cost of Living Context
Colorado's cost of living index is 105 (national average = 100). This means living in Colorado is 5.0% more expensive than the national average. The median hourly wage in Colorado is $24.18/hr, which is 63% above the minimum wage.
Key Facts
Annual CPI adjustments. Denver has a higher local minimum wage. Tip credit of $3.02/hr.
How This Compares
| Metric | CO | Federal | Highest (WA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $14.81 | $7.25 | $16.66 |
| Tipped Wage | $11.79 | $2.13 | $16.66 |
| Annual (FT) | $30,805 | $15,080 | $34,653 |
Useful Resources
Colorado Average Salary
Median income and top employers in CO
Colorado Tax Rates
Income, sales & property tax in CO
Salary Calculator
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