Colorado minimum wage (2026)
The minimum wage in Colorado is $15.16 an hour – $31,533 a year for full-time work, rising to $15.71 on January 1, 2027. Compare it with what common jobs in Colorado actually pay.
Colorado minimum wage$15.16/hr
Some cities, such as Denver, set a higher local minimum wage.
Scheduled increases
Annual inflation adjustment$15.71
Full-time minimum-wage pay
Gross pay before taxes for a full-time job at $15.16/hr.
Typical pay in Colorado
2,873,900 jobs$28.75/hr$59,800 a year
The minimum wage equals 53% of the state's median hourly wage.
What common jobs pay in Colorado
Median wage in Colorado for its most common jobs (BLS, May 2025).
82,010 jobs in Colorado$17.44/hrRetail Salespersons
76,660 jobs in Colorado$18.25/hrStockers and Order Fillers
55,520 jobs in Colorado$20.36/hrRegistered Nurses
54,490 jobs in Colorado$48.20/hrCashiers
51,670 jobs in Colorado$17.72/hrHome Health and Personal Care Aides
44,650 jobs in Colorado$18.53/hrSoftware Developers
43,320 jobs in Colorado$66.53/hrGeneral and Operations Managers
41,870 jobs in Colorado$63.39/hrWaiters and Waitresses
40,680 jobs in Colorado$21.57/hrCustomer Service Representatives
38,770 jobs in Colorado$22.86/hr
Nearby in the ranking
All states ranked ›Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws and the Colorado labor department (rates, checked October 28, 2026); BLS OEWS (wages). Local and tipped rates are not shown.
Questions & answers
What is the minimum wage in Colorado in 2026?
Colorado's minimum wage is $15.16 an hour. Some cities, such as Denver, set a higher local minimum wage.
Is Colorado's minimum wage going up?
It is scheduled to rise to $15.71 on January 1, 2027.
How much is a full-time minimum-wage job in Colorado per year?
At $15.16 an hour, 40 hours a week for 52 weeks (2,080 hours) comes to $31,533 a year before taxes, or about $606.40 a week.
What is the typical wage in Colorado?
The median wage for all jobs in Colorado was $28.75 an hour ($59,800 a year) in May 2025, according to BLS. The minimum wage is 53% of that.
Can my city have a higher minimum wage?
Yes, if Colorado allows local minimum wages, a city or county can set a higher rate, and employers must pay whichever rate is highest: federal, state or local. Check your city's labor office.