Understanding the Kansas minimum wage is the first step to ensuring your payroll remains compliant in 2026. While neighboring states are actively raising their wage floors, the Kansas rate has remained at $7.25 per hour since 2009. Though several increases have been proposed recently, no new laws have been passed.
What you’ll learn
What you’ll learn
Key takeaways
- The Kansas state minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, matching the federal rate
- Because this rate has not increased since 2009, it is notably less competitive than many neighboring states
- Employers must pay this minimum wage to most employees, though exemptions exist for tipped, student, youth, and agricultural workers
- Unless the federal minimum wage changes, Kansas is not expected to increase its rate in 2026
- If your business operates across state lines, you must pay accurate rates based on each employee’s home state
This guide breaks down exactly what Kansas employers need to know to stay compliant, from navigating state exemptions and tipped wages to managing payroll for out-of-state workers.
What is the minimum wage in Kansas
The minimum wage in the state of Kansas today is $7.25. Meanwhile, the Kansas City, Missouri, minimum wage is set to increase from $13.75 to $15 on January 1, 2026. (While Kansas and Missouri share a border, Kansas City is located in Missouri.)
Kansas Statutes Annotated, Title 44, establishes Kansas’s minimum wage and lays out exemptions for certain groups of workers.
Since the minimum wage is so low in Kansas, it can lead to workers crossing state lines to Colorado and Missouri for better hourly pay, creating a drain on small businesses. Likewise, it reduces employee retention and satisfaction for employees who are paid less than their nearby counterparts.
Who is covered (and exempt) under Kansas minimum wage laws
While most workers in Kansas must be paid the state minimum wage, there are several notable exceptions to the rule, including the following:
- Youth workers: The minimum wage for minors, including students and apprentices, can be less than the state law if your business obtains a permit. You can apply for a special permit for youth workers through the Kansas Department of Labor.
- Agriculture workers: Ag and farm workers can also be paid a lower minimum wage. Farms that use more than 500 “man days” of labor in any calendar quarter must pay its workers at least the federal minimum wage; a man day is any day an employee works at least one hour.
- Disabled workers: While Kansas businesses are allowed to pay disabled workers less than the state minimum wage, they are encouraged to pay minimum wage or more. The state recently expanded an income tax credit for purchases from organizations that employ disabled workers.
- Certain nonprofits: Smaller nonprofits with less than $500,000 in revenue may be exempt organizations. Volunteers are also exempt from minimum wage requirements.
- Family employment: Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, parents, spouses, children, and other immediate family members who work in a family-run small business may be exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements.
It’s critical to understand how employees are classified and who must be paid minimum wage to avoid costly penalties.
Legislative update: Proposed 2026 minimum wage increase
While the state rate currently remains $7.25 per hour, Kansas Senate Democrats introduced new legislation in early 2026 to raise the wage floor.
Senate Bill 471
Introduced by Senator Cindy Holscher, this bill would eliminate several current exemptions and raise the state minimum wage to $16.00 per hour. As of April 2026, the bill is awaiting a hearing in the Senate Committee on Commerce.
Kansas vs. Missouri: 2026 wage comparison
If SB 471 passes, Kansas would surpass the recent increases seen in neighboring Missouri. Here is how the two states currently compare:
| Wage detail | Kansas (Current) | Missouri (2026) | Kansas (Proposed SB 471) |
| Minimum wage | $7.25 | $15.00 | $16.00 |
| Tipped minimum | $2.13 | $7.50 | $16.00* |
| Last updated | 2009 | Jan 1, 2026 | Pending |
*SB 471 proposes extending the full minimum wage to a broader set of workers by eliminating specific federal exemptions.
Key takeaways for employers
- Stay the course: There are no immediate changes to your payroll requirements in Kansas for 2026.
- Monitor the committee: The bill’s progress in the Senate Committee on Commerce will determine if a vote occurs later this year.
Plan for shifts: While the bill has not passed, the proposal reflects a growing regional trend toward $15+ hourly rates.
How tipped and special pay rules work in Kansas
Kansas businesses can pay tipped workers $2.13 an hour, provided that their tips bring this total to at least $7.25 per hour. If not, employers are required to provide a tip credit to reach this figure. For example, if a server only makes $6 per hour with tips, your business would be responsible for the remaining $1.25 to reach the $7.25 per hour threshold.
In addition to paying a minimum of $2.13 per hour to all tipped employees, your organization is also required to:
- Inform your tipped workers about tip credit rules
- Track all tipped worker hours and tips
- Accurately report taxes on employee W-2 forms
It’s advisable to keep detailed records of payments, tips, and tax withholdings for at least three years for audit purposes.
How Kansas compares to neighboring states
The following chart shows how the minimum wage in Kansas compares to that in neighboring states.
| State | Minimum wage per hour 2025 | Minimum wage per hour 2026 |
| Kansas | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Colorado | $14.81 | $15.16 |
| Oklahoma | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Missouri | $13.75 | $15 |
| Nebraska | $13.50 | $15 |
In addition, Oklahoma voters will decide on a potential mid-year minimum wage increase, which would gradually raise the rate to $15 by 2029. Clearly, minimum wage by state varies considerably. Since pay rates are far more competitive in Colorado, Missouri, and Nebraska, this creates pressure for higher wages from Kansas businesses as well as a talent drain across state lines.
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If you operate in multiple states, you’re responsible for paying at least the minimum wage in every location. Automated payroll software can simplify and streamline this process.
Managing Kansas payroll with confidence
While the Kansas minimum wage has remained at $7.25 per hour since 2009, staying compliant isn’t always as simple as plugging in a single rate. Between calculating the $2.13 tipped minimum wage, navigating specific exemptions for youth and agricultural workers, and managing the pressure to raise wages to compete with neighboring states like Missouri and Colorado, there are plenty of moving parts. Plus, keeping an eye on proposed legislation like Senate Bill 471 means employers must always be prepared for future shifts.
Getting these details right shouldn’t mean spending your evenings buried in spreadsheets or worrying about miscalculations. A dependable payroll process makes tracking hours, covering tip makeups, and managing multi-state pay automatic. If you’re ready to take the heavy lifting off your plate so you can focus on growing your team, OnPay is here to help.
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Jon Davis is the Sr. Content Marketing Manager at OnPay. He has over 15 years of experience writing for small and growing businesses. Jon lives and works in Atlanta.