Statutory minimum wage in Kansas (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Kansas sets a state minimum wage of $7.25 an hour, but the statute does not apply to employers and employees covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Tipped employees must receive at least $2.13 an hour from the employer.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $7.25 per hour [1] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | $2.13 an hour plus tips, up to $7.25. The Kansas minimum wage law covers only employment that is not subject to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. [2] |
| Overtime payEmployees | 1.5 times the regular rate after 46 hours in a workweek, for employees not covered by the overtime rules of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. [3] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | Cities, counties and other local governments may not require employers to pay more than the minimum wage set by state or federal law (K.S.A. 12-16,130). [4] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | The Kansas minimum wage law does not cover persons aged 18 or under employed on an occasional or part-time basis (under 40 hours a week; students working between terms count as part-time). [5] |
Notes
- The section does not apply to employers and employees covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (44-1203(c)), so in practice the state rate applies only to employment outside the federal Act. Employees receiving tips: the employer pays at least $2.13 an hour (44-1203(b)). Some local governments set rates above the state minimum; the US Department of Labor page does not show these.
- No scheduled change was found in the statute.
Sources
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes: K.S.A. 44-1203. Same; minimum wage; computation; applicability of section (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (revised 1 July 2026) (Internet Archive snapshot of 4 October 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes: K.S.A. 44-1204. Overtime compensation; exceptions (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes: K.S.A. 12-16,130. Cities; counties; prohibition on requiring employers to provide certain wage levels (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes: K.S.A. 44-1202. Minimum wage and maximum hours law; definitions (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Kansas and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas | Yes | $7.25 per hour (state law) | 18 and under part-time not covered | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Colorado | Yes | $15.16 per hour (2026) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Missouri | Yes | $15.00 per hour | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Nebraska | Yes | $15.00 per hour | $13.50 aged 14-15; 75% for student-learners | 1 January 2027 | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Oklahoma | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour (larger employers) | No age bands; $2.00 per hour for small employers | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Kansas
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Criminal offence · Growing at home: No (felony)
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph (urban districts) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 65 mph; 55 mph on county roads
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 15 (restricted licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 14 (instruction permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1-3, bicycle rules · Minimum age: Class 3: 16
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (licensed retail; bottle rockets banned)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Only with intent to use unlawfully · Locking or one-handed knives: No switchblade or locking-knife rule
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Texting only · Hands-free use: Allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, age 14+ · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, age 14+ (adults: secondary enforcement)
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.