Kansas Minimum Wage 2026: $7.25 an Hour, $2.13 for Tipped Workers, and Overtime After 46 Hours Under State Law

The Kansas minimum wage is $7.25 an hour in 2026, and it has been since January 1, 2010 [1]. That’s the same as the federal minimum wage [4]. Tipped workers can be paid a cash wage of $2.13 an hour, as long as tips bring them up to $7.25 [1][5].

Two laws, one rate

Kansas has its own minimum wage law, but it only applies to employers who aren’t covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act [1][4]. If your employer is covered by the federal law, the federal rules apply to you [4]. Because both rates are $7.25, the minimum is the same either way [1][4].

The state law also leaves out some workers, including people employed in agriculture, domestic workers in private homes, and people 18 or younger working occasionally or part time (under 40 hours a week) [2].

Tipped workers

An employer can count tips toward the minimum wage if tips are a customary part of the job and the worker actually gets to keep them [1]. The employer must pay at least $2.13 an hour in cash wages [1]. If that cash wage plus tips comes to:

• at least $7.25 an hour, the employer owes nothing more, or
• less than $7.25 an hour, the employer must make up the difference [1].

Under federal law, the most an employer can count from tips is $5.12 an hour ($7.25 minus $2.13) [5].

Overtime

Where the federal law applies, covered, nonexempt employees get time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek [10]. The Kansas law, for the smaller group of employers it covers, sets overtime at time and a half after 46 hours a week [3].

No local minimum wages

Kansas cities and counties can’t raise the minimum. State law bars any city, county or local government from requiring employers to pay more than the minimum wage unless state or federal law requires it [6]. The same law blocks local rules requiring paid leave or schedule changes [6].

Paydays and your final paycheck

Under the Kansas Wage Payment Act, employers must pay all wages due at least once a month, on regular paydays set in advance [7].

If you quit or are fired, your employer must pay your earned wages no later than the next regular payday, through the usual pay channels or by mail if you ask [8]. An employer who willfully fails to pay can owe a penalty of 1% of the unpaid wages for each day (except Sundays and legal holidays) after the eighth day, up to 100% of the unpaid wages [8].

How to file a wage claim

If your employer hasn’t paid wages you’re owed, you can file a claim with the Kansas Department of Labor under the Wage Payment Act [9]:

1. File the Wage Claim form (K-ESLR 105) by email or mail [9].
2. Investigation. A labor conciliator sends the claim to your employer, who has 10 business days to answer in writing. You’ll get a copy and need to respond, or the case may be closed [9].
3. Hearing. A presiding officer hears the case, usually by phone. Mail any documents you want considered to the Office of Administrative Hearings at least seven days before the hearing, with copies to your employer [9].
4. Review. Either side can ask the Secretary of Labor to review the decision within 18 days [9].

You don’t need a lawyer for the hearing, and the department doesn’t provide one [9]. Even after a decision in your favor, collecting the money can take a long time [9].