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In Kansas, the minimum wage is aligned with the federal rate of $7.25, which is the Federal rate. This has remained unchanged since 2010. Under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), some employees are considered exempt.
Starting January 1, 2024, federal contractors pay a minimum of $17.20 per hour. Kansas mandates overtime pay at 1.5 times the regular rate for hours over 40 a week, making the overtime minimum wage $10.88.
A full-time minimum wage worker earns about $290 weekly, or $15,080 annually, while the federal poverty threshold for a two-person household is $14,570.
Minimum Wages in Kansas Cities
The minimum wage in Kansas is the same across all cities, as it follows the federal minimum wage rate. Here’s a table of the minimum wage rates for the employees in cities in Kansas for 2024.
| City | Non-Tipped Minimum Wage | Tipped Minimum Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Overland Park | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Kansas City | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Olathe | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Topeka | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Lawrence | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Shawnee | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Manhattan | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Lenexa | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Salina | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Hutchinson | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Leavenworth | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Leawood | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Garden City | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Dodge City | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Emporia | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Junction City | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Derby | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Prairie Village | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Liberal | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Hays | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Pittsburg | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Newton | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Great Bend | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| McPherson | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| El Dorado | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Gardner | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Andover | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Ottawa | $7.25 | $2.13 |
| Winfield | $7.25 | $2.13 |
Threshold For Employees Exempt
- Exempt employees are those who are exempt from overtime regulations, paid a salary, and perform administrative, professional, executive, computer, or outside sales work.
- Non-exempt employees are those paid hourly, perform more manual or technical duties, and are entitled to overtime pay for any hours worked beyond 40 in a work week.
In Kansas City, employees to be classified as exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the salary threshold is set to change in 2024 and 2025. Here are the details:
- Effective July 1, 2024, the minimum salary threshold is $844 per week, equivalent to annual $43,888.
- However, effective January 1, 2025, the threshold will increase to $1,128 per week, equivalent to annual $58,656.
In Kansas, the overtime rules are as follows:
- State Law: Kansas requires overtime pay for non-exempt employees who work more than 46 hours in a workweek. The overtime rate is 1.5 times the regular rate of pay.
- Federal Law: For employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), overtime is required for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek at the same rate of 1.5 times the regular pay rate.
Employers must ensure they comply with both state and federal regulations, depending on which applies to their business.
Historical Data of Kansas Minimum Wages
According to the United States Federal Reserve, as of January 2024, the minimum wage rate in Kansas is $7.25 per hour. This rate has been consistent since reaching its record high of $7.25 in January 2010 and a record low of $1.60 in January 1980.
Here’s the table with the historical minimum wage rates in Kansas.
| Time Period | Minimum Wage (USD/hour) |
|---|---|
| 1979 – 1990 | 1.60 |
| 1991 – 2009 | 2.65 |
| 2010 – 2024 | 7.25 |
Source: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/state/minimum-wage/history
Exemptions in Minimum Wages of Kansas
Some exemptions from the minimum wage requirements in Kansas include;
- Agricultural workers may be exempt from the minimum wage requirements.
- Tipped Employees can be paid a lower minimum wage, provided their tips bring their total earnings up to at least the standard minimum wage.
- Under specific conditions, executives, administrators, and professionals may be exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements.
- High school and college students working part-time may be paid a lower minimum wage under certain conditions.
- Workers with disabilities who have a Kansas Department of Labor certificate may be paid less than the minimum wage.
- Employees who primarily work outside the employer’s place of business making sales are exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements.
- Certain computer professionals may also be exempt from minimum wage and overtime requirements.
