Minimum Wage Increases – Denver to $19.29 and Colorado to $15.16 Per Hour as of Jan. 1, 2026
Each year, we share information on what’s happening with minimum wages locally, around the country, and also at our company – J. Kent Staffing.
Denver and Colorado’s 2026 Minimum Wage – $19.29 and $15.16 Per Hour, Respectively
On January 1, 2026, Denver’s minimum wage (not including tipped employees) increased from $18.81 in 2025 to $19.29, representing just over a 2.5% increase. Colorado’s minimum wage increased from $14.81 in 2025 to $15.16 per hour as of January 1, 2026 (just over a 2.3% increase).
Other local area miminum wages include: Edgewater – $18.17/hour; and Boulder (City & County) – $16.82/hour. Many other Colorado cities, such as Colorado Springs and Fort Collins, do not currently have a local ordinance, making the state rate of $15.16/hour the standard in 2026.
J. Kent Staffing’s 2026 Minimum Wage – $20.00 Per Hour (Unchanged From 2025)
At J. Kent Staffing, we are committed to providing high-quality jobs and competitive wages to all our employees. Each year, we announce our own minimum wage. This is not law, but rather a bar that we set where our entry-level positions – clerical, reception, customer service, warehouse/light labor, data entry, event staff – are guaranteed to pay that as a minimum (and most often, more). So, whether we are putting our temporary associates to work at client offices in Denver, Aurora, Boulder, Lakewood, Highlands Ranch, or any other city in Colorado, they will be earning a minimum of $20.00 per hour in 2026.
This minimum wage is unchanged from 2025 for J. Kent Staffing, mostly due to our large presence in event staffing, which often sees smaller margins and entry-level pay that is common in the hospitality sector. Regardless, our experienced staff loves working our events, whether to just earn extra income, or because they enjoy the social aspects of the work and getting out into their communities!
Here’s What’s Happening Federally, and in all 50 States (+Washington D.C.)
The federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour has remained the same since 2009. Unlike the minimum wage in many states, the federal minimum wage is not indexed to inflation. This means it doesn’t automatically adjust each year to account for changes in the cost of living. For the federal minimum wage to increase, Congress must act to send legislation to the president to sign into law.
Note: States with minimum wages lower than the federal minimum wage of $7.25 per hour are listed below at that level, which is required for all employers who are subject to the Fair Labor Standards Act. States with no local minimum wage regulations adhere to federal minimum wage laws.
State |
2026 Minimum Wage |
2025 Minimum Wage |
| Alabama*** | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Alaska | $14.00 (effective 7/1/26) | $13.00 |
| Arizona | $15.15 | $14.70 |
| Arkansas* | $11.00 | $11.00 |
| California** | $16.90 | $16.50 |
| Colorado** | $15.16 | $14.81 |
| Connecticut | $16.94 | $16.35 |
| Delaware* | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Wash., D.C. | $17.95 | $17.50 |
| Florida | $15.00 (effective 9/30/26) | $14.00 |
| Georgia | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Hawaii | $16.00 | $14.00 |
| Idaho* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Illinois | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Indiana* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Iowa* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Kansas* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Kentucky* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Louisiana*** | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Maine | $15.10 | $14.65 |
| Maryland** | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Massachusetts* | $15.00 | $15.00 |
| Michigan | $13.73 | $10.56 |
| Minnesota | $11.41 | $11.13 |
| Mississippi*** | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Missouri | $15.00 | $13.75 |
| Montana | $10.85 | $10.55 |
| Nebraska | $15.00 | $13.50 |
| Nevada* | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| New Hampshire | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| New Jersey | $15.92 (co’s w/6+ ee’s) | $15.49 (co’s w/ 6+ ee’s) |
| New Mexico | $12.00 | $12.00 |
| New York**** | $17.00 / $16.00 | $16.50 / $15.50 |
| North Carolina* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| North Dakota* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Ohio | $11.00 | $10.70 |
| Oklahoma* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Oregon***** | $15.05 | $14.70 |
| Pennsylvania* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Rhode Island | $16.00 | $15.00 |
| So. Carolina*** | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| South Dakota | $11.85 | $11.50 |
| Tennessee*** | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Texas* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Utah* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Vermont | $14.42 | $14.01 |
| Virginia | $12.77 | $12.41 |
| Washington | $17.13 | $16.66 |
| West Virginia* | $8.75 | $8.75 |
| Wisconsin* | $7.25 | $7.25 |
| Wyoming | $7.25 | $7.25 |
* No change from 2025 has been announced.
** Varies by geographical location within the state.
*** State does not have local minimum wage regulations, and instead adheres to federal minimum wage laws
**** In New York, the minimum wage is $17.00 per hour for New York City, Long Island, and Westchester County. The rest of New York has a minimum wage of $16.00 per hour.
****** Listed rate is Oregon’s standard state minimum wage of $15.05 per hour. The minimum wage in the Portland Metro area is $16.30 per hour and $14.05 in non-urban counties in Oregon.
Source:
https://www.paycor.com/resource-center/articles/minimum-wage-by-state/
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