The minimum wage in Kansas is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum wage. Tipped employees must be paid at least $2.13 per hour, but employers must ensure wages and tips combined equal at least the minimum wage. Youth workers may be paid $4.25 per hour for the first 90 calendar days of employment.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average hourly wage in Kansas is $24.96. Wages vary by occupation, industry, and location.
The estimated living wage in Kansas is $21.63 per hour. A living wage represents the estimated hourly rate needed to cover basic living expenses, including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and other essential costs.
A guide to hourly labor laws in Kansas
$7.25 (Kan. Stat. § 44-1203) (29 US Code § 206).
$2.13, totaling at least minimum wage after tips (Kan. Stat. § 44-1203) (29 US Code § 203), (DoL Table).
Hours exceeding 40 in a fixed week are overtime and subject to 1.5 times the regular rate (29 US Code § 207) (DoL).
No state or federal law requiring meal breaks. Federal law allows unpaid, non-working, bona-fide meal breaks over 30 minutes; exceptions may apply (29 C.F.R. § 785.19) (DoL).
No state or federal law requires rest breaks. Breaks lasting 5–20 minutes must be paid (29 C.F.R. § 785.18).
Kansas employers can only make wage deductions required by law for medical benefits, authorized in writing by the employee for lawful purposes, for retirement plans, or for specific conditions such as overpayments. The deductions may not reduce wages below minimum wage (Kan. Stat. § 44-319) (29 C.F.R. § 4.168) (29 US Code § 203).
Paid by the next regular payday after termination or resignation (Kan. Stat. § 44-315).
At least once per month on regular, employer-designated paydays (Kan. Stat. § 44-314).
No state/federal law. Policies are determined by the employer or through collective bargaining agreements (DoL).
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).
- 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).
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).
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?
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.
Offering competitive pay is one of my top priorities—what other resources do you have that might help?
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.
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