Key Takeaways
• Kansas minimum wage remains $7.25 per hour in 2025, matching the federal rate.
• Federal contractors must pay $17.75 per hour starting January 1, 2025.
• Special wages: tipped $2.13/hour plus tips; training wage $4.25/hour for first 90 days.
Understanding The minimum wage in Kansas: 2025 Detailed Guide
The minimum wage is a key part of labor law in the United States 🇺🇸, affecting millions of workers, employers, and families. For immigrants and newcomers to Kansas, knowing the rules about pay is important for planning work, supporting families, and making sure employers follow the law. This guide explains the minimum wage in Kansas for 2025, including special rules for tipped employees, young workers, and federal contractors. It also covers the history, current debates, and what these rules mean for workers and businesses.
What Is the Minimum Wage?
The minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay that employers must legally give most workers. In Kansas, as of July 6, 2025, the minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. This is the same as the federal minimum wage, which has not changed since 2009. Kansas has followed this federal rate since 2010, and there are no cities or regions in Kansas with a higher local minimum wage.
Who Must Be Paid the Minimum Wage?
Most workers in Kansas must be paid at least $7.25 per hour. This includes:
- Full-time and part-time employees
- Workers in restaurants, stores, factories, and offices
- Immigrants and non-citizens with legal work authorization
However, there are some exceptions and special rules for certain groups, which are explained below.
Special Minimum Wage Rules in Kansas
Kansas law, like federal law, allows for different minimum wage rules for certain types of workers. Here’s a breakdown of these special cases:
1. Tipped Employees
Tipped employees are people who regularly receive tips as part of their job, such as waiters, bartenders, and hotel staff. In Kansas:
- Employers can pay tipped employees a cash wage of $2.13 per hour.
- Employers can count up to $5.12 per hour in tips toward the minimum wage.
- The total of cash wage plus tips must equal at least $7.25 per hour.
- If an employee’s tips do not bring their total pay to $7.25 per hour, the employer must make up the difference.
This system is called a “tip credit.” It is important for tipped employees to keep track of their tips and hours to make sure they are paid fairly.
2. Training Wage for Young Workers
For new employees under 20 years old, Kansas allows a lower “training wage”:
- Employers can pay $4.25 per hour for the first 90 days of employment.
- After 90 days or when the worker turns 20, the pay must increase to at least $7.25 per hour.
This rule is meant to help young people get their first jobs, but it is only allowed for a short period.
3. Student Workers and Interns
Some students and interns in Kansas can be paid less than the standard minimum wage if they are in special programs:
- Eligible student workers can be paid 85% of the minimum wage, which is $6.16 per hour.
- This lower rate applies only for up to 20 hours per week and only in certain work-study or training programs.
Employers must follow strict rules to use this lower wage, and students should check with their school or program to see if it applies.
4. Overtime Pay
When employees work more than 40 hours in a week, Kansas law requires overtime pay:
- Overtime must be paid at 1.5 times the regular rate.
- For minimum wage workers, this means $10.88 per hour for every hour over 40 in a week.
Overtime rules apply to most workers, but there are some exceptions for certain jobs.
5. Federal Contractors
Starting January 1, 2025, a new rule affects workers on federal contracts in Kansas:
- Federal contractors must pay a minimum wage of $17.75 per hour.
- This is much higher than the state minimum wage and applies to workers on federal government projects.
This rule can create differences in pay between workers doing similar jobs, depending on whether their employer has a federal contract.
Historical and Policy Background
Kansas has kept its minimum wage at the federal level since 2010. Many other states have raised their minimum wages in recent years, but Kansas has not. There have been proposals in the Kansas legislature to increase the minimum wage to $10 per hour by the end of 2025 and up to $16 per hour by 2027, but as of July 2025, no new law has passed.
The current minimum wage means a full-time worker (40 hours per week) earns about $290 per week or $15,080 per year. This is just above the federal poverty line for a two-person household, which is $14,570.
Comparing Kansas to Other States
Many states have set their own minimum wages higher than the federal rate. For example:
- California 🇺🇸: $16.00 per hour (2025)
- Colorado 🇺🇸: $14.42 per hour (2025)
- Missouri 🇺🇸: $12.30 per hour (2025)
Kansas remains at the federal minimum, which is among the lowest in the country. This can make it harder for workers in Kansas to afford basic needs compared to those in states with higher minimum wages.
Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage
A “living wage” is the amount of money needed to cover basic expenses like housing, food, and transportation. In Kansas, experts estimate a living wage for a single adult is about $20.35 per hour or $42,337 per year. The current minimum wage of $7.25 per hour is much lower than this, which means many workers struggle to pay for basic needs.
For immigrants and new arrivals, this gap can be especially hard, as they may have fewer resources or support networks.
Practical Implications for Workers
1. Income and Poverty
- A full-time minimum wage worker in Kansas earns just above the poverty line.
- Many families need more than one job or source of income to cover basic expenses.
- Tipped employees must watch their pay closely to make sure they get at least the minimum wage.
2. Rights and Protections
- All workers, including immigrants with legal work status, have the right to be paid at least the minimum wage.
- Employers cannot pay less than the legal minimum, even if the worker agrees.
- If an employer does not pay the correct wage, workers can file a complaint with the Kansas Department of Labor.
3. Overtime and Special Cases
- Workers who put in more than 40 hours a week must get overtime pay.
- Young workers and students should know if special wage rules apply to them and when those rules end.
4. Federal Contractors
- Workers on federal contracts should check if they are covered by the higher $17.75 minimum wage.
- This can mean higher pay for some jobs, but only if the employer is a federal contractor.
Practical Implications for Employers
1. Compliance
- Employers must follow both state and federal wage laws.
- They must keep accurate records of hours worked and wages paid.
- Mistakes or violations can lead to fines and legal trouble.
2. Wage Differences
- Businesses with federal contracts must pay higher wages, which can affect costs and competition.
- Employers should watch for possible changes in the law, as the Kansas legislature may raise the minimum wage in the future.
3. Hiring Young Workers and Students
- Employers can use the training wage for new workers under 20, but only for 90 days.
- Special rules for student workers apply only in certain programs and for limited hours.
4. Tipped Employees
- Employers must make sure tipped employees’ total pay (cash wage plus tips) meets the minimum wage.
- If tips are low, the employer must pay extra to reach $7.25 per hour.
Stakeholder Perspectives
State Government
Kansas has kept the minimum wage at the federal level, but lawmakers face pressure from labor groups and some voters to raise it. Some argue that higher wages would help reduce poverty and improve living standards, while others worry about the impact on small businesses.
Employers
Many small and medium-sized businesses in Kansas rely on the $7.25 rate to keep labor costs low. However, they are watching legislative proposals closely, as any increase could raise costs and affect hiring.
Workers and Labor Advocates
There is growing support for raising the minimum wage in Kansas. Advocates say higher wages would help families, reduce poverty, and boost the local economy. Some workers, especially in low-wage jobs, struggle to make ends meet at the current rate.
Federal Contractors
Employers with federal contracts must pay the higher $17.75 rate, which can create wage gaps within the same company or industry. This may also push some private employers to raise wages to compete for workers.
Real-World Examples
Example 1: Tipped Employee in Wichita
Maria works as a waitress in Wichita. She is paid $2.13 per hour by her employer. On a slow week, she earns $80 in tips for 20 hours of work. Her total pay is:
- Cash wage: $2.13 × 20 = $42.60
- Tips: $80
- Total: $122.60
The minimum she should earn is $7.25 × 20 = $145. Since her total pay is less than this, her employer must pay her an extra $22.40 to reach the minimum wage.
Example 2: Student Worker in Topeka
John is a college student working in a campus dining hall as part of a work-study program. He works 15 hours per week and is paid $6.16 per hour (85% of the minimum wage). This is allowed under Kansas and federal law for student workers in certain programs.
Example 3: Federal Contractor in Kansas City
Sarah works for a company that has a federal contract to clean government buildings. Starting January 1, 2025, her employer must pay her at least $17.75 per hour, even though the state minimum wage is much lower.
How to File a Complaint or Get Help
If you believe you are not being paid the correct minimum wage, you can:
- Talk to your employer and ask for an explanation.
- Keep records of your hours worked and pay received.
- File a complaint with the Kansas Department of Labor. The official website is Kansas Department of Labor Minimum Wage.
You do not need to be a U.S. citizen to file a complaint. All workers, including immigrants, have the right to fair pay.
Future Outlook: Will the Minimum Wage Increase?
As of July 2025, there are active proposals in the Kansas legislature to raise the minimum wage to $10 per hour by the end of the year and up to $16 per hour by 2027. However, these proposals have not yet become law. Employers and workers should watch for updates, as changes could happen soon.
If the minimum wage increases, it will affect pay for many workers, especially those in low-wage jobs. It may also raise costs for businesses, but could help reduce poverty and boost the local economy.
Key Takeaways
- The minimum wage in Kansas is $7.25 per hour for most workers in 2025.
- Tipped employees must be paid at least $2.13 per hour in cash, plus tips to reach $7.25.
- Training wage for new workers under 20 is $4.25 per hour for the first 90 days.
- Student workers in certain programs can be paid $6.16 per hour for up to 20 hours per week.
- Overtime pay is $10.88 per hour for hours over 40 in a week.
- Federal contractors must pay $17.75 per hour starting January 1, 2025.
- There are ongoing debates about raising the minimum wage, but no new law has passed as of mid-2025.
For more details and updates, check the Kansas Department of Labor Minimum Wage page. Employers and workers should also review federal rules at the U.S. Department of Labor.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, staying informed about wage laws is important for both workers and employers, especially as changes may come soon. Understanding your rights and responsibilities helps ensure fair pay and a better workplace for everyone.
If you are an immigrant or new to Kansas, knowing these rules can help you plan your work, protect your rights, and support your family. Always ask questions if you are unsure about your pay, and use official resources to get help when needed.
Learn Today
Minimum Wage → Lowest legally required hourly pay employers must give most workers.
Tip Credit → Portion of tips counted towards minimum wage, lowering employer’s cash wage requirement.
Training Wage → Lower wage allowed for new workers under 20 during first 90 days of employment.
Overtime Pay → Extra pay at 1.5 times regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 weekly hours.
Federal Contractor → Employer with government contracts required to pay a higher minimum wage.
This Article in a Nutshell
Kansas maintains a $7.25 minimum wage for most workers in 2025. Federal contractors pay higher. Special rules exist for tipped employees, youth training wages, and students. Overtime pays 1.5 times regular wages. Proposed wage increases face legislative debate but no new laws yet.
— By VisaVerge.com
