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HOURLY WAGE INDEX

Let’s talk wages in Kansas

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$7.25

What is the minimum wage in Kansas?

The Kansas minimum wage is the same as the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. There are some exceptions to this, such as tipped employees and youth workers. Tipped employees are only required to be paid $2.13 per hour, but if their tips do not bring their total earnings up to the Kansas minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference. Youth workers are allowed to be paid $4.25 per hour for the first 90 calendar days of employment.

There are a few exemptions to the minimum wage law in Kansas. These include:

  • Religious organizations: Religious organizations are exempt from the minimum wage law if they employ only members of their own religion.
  • Small businesses: Small businesses with fewer than 25 employees are exempt from the minimum wage law for tipped employees.
  • Learners: Employers may pay learners a sub-minimum wage of $4.25 per hour for the first 90 consecutive calendar days after the learner is initially employed by the employer.
  • Certain workers with physical or mental limitations: Employers may pay sub-minimum wages to workers with physical or mental limitations that limit their ability to do the job.
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$27.05

What is the average wage in Kansas?

The average wage in Kansas is Higher than the national average wage. As of 2023, the median hourly wage in Kansas is $27.05, while the mean hourly wage is $19.44. The top 10% of earners make an average of $26.74 per hour, while the bottom 10% make an average of $13.09 per hour. The median hourly wage in the United States is $19.76 per hour, while the mean hourly wage is $20.76 per hour. The top 10% of earners make an average of $28.37 per hour, while the bottom 10% make an average of $14.20 per hour.
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$29.95

What is the living wage in Kansas?

The 500kansas.org reports that the living wage in Kansas is $11.17 per hour. The living wage is the hourly wage that an individual must earn to support themselves and their family. The 500kansas.org also reports that the living wage for a single adult in Kansas is $8.84 per hour, while the living wage for a family of four is $22.94 per hour.

Wages aren’t everything!

While pay is one of the main factors that hourly employees consider when choosing to join (or stay at) a company, it’s not the end all be all. Research shows that advancement opportunities, supportive management, and schedule flexibility are all incredibly important as well.

Want to learn more about this trend? We dive deep into the data behind which perks and benefits matter most to hourly workers. Check out our full conversation with expert Sara Wasserteil of Cara Collective.

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A guide to hourly labor laws in Kansas

Verified by Legal Counsel Brooke Davis

 

  • Final Paychecks: Paid by the next regular payday after termination or resignation (Kan. Stat. § 44-315).
  • Wage Payment Frequency: At least once per month on regular, employer-designated paydays (Kan. Stat. § 44-314).
  • Paid Sick Leave: No state/federal law. Policies are determined by the employer or through collective bargaining agreements (DoL).
  • Paid Family and Medical Leave: No state/federal paid leave law. The FMLA provides eligible employees up to 12 unpaid weeks in a one-year period for a qualifying medical condition (FMLA).
  • Maximum Daily and Weekly Hours for Children Under 16:
    • School days: No working during school hours; three hours per day; 18 hours per week.
    • Non-school days: Up to eight hours per day and 40 hours per work week.
    • Hours: No working between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. on days preceding school days. Working only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., extended until 9 p.m. June 1 through Labor Day. No working during required school hours (29 C.F.R. § 570.35) (Kan. Stat. § 38-603).
  • Maximum Daily and Weekly Hours for Children 16 and 17: No Kansas law restricting work hours. No work during required school hours. Federal law does not restrict 16- and 17-year-olds’ working hours in non-hazardous occupations (Kan. Stat. § 38-605) (DoL).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between gross wages and net wages?

It's important to remember that the Hourly Wage Index data above reflects gross wages, or the amount of money an employee earns before accounting for payroll deductions like taxes, benefits, or wage garnishments. Due to variability in tax rates across locations, slightly lower gross wages in a certain location might result in higher take home pay, or vice versa.

What is a good hourly wage?

This question is a difficult one to answer, as a "good hourly wage" is highly subjective according to experience, work responsibilities, cost of living, and other factors. We recommend using Hourly Wage Index data as a starting point. Once you have established a baseline for certain positions, do further research into similar businesses in your area.

Lastly, consider surveying your employees. They're the best resource to help you know what is a good hourly wage, what competitive pay looks like in your location, and how competitive wages change in your industry over time.

Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?

We know that getting applicants to pay attention to your business can be extremely challenging, and that offering competitive pay is a huge part of that. Wages aren’t everything, however! Applicant experience is another important factor that can help set you apart from your competition. A few examples include:

  • Short, easy to understand job descriptions
  • Mobile-friendliness
  • Quick communication
  • Streamlined interview stages
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