In 2023, the Kansas state minimum wage has remained the same as in previous years – nothing has changed since 2009. The state shares the same minimum wage as 21 other states, $7.25. This is the federal minimum wage, which coincidentally has also not changed since 2009.
The federal minimum wage has remained the same since 2009, and there has been pretty much no indication since then that the federal wage will increase any time soon. Unlike the majority of states, Kansas is unlikely to budge regarding its minimum wage, 2023 will likely see the state minimum wage remain the same for residents of Kansas as in previous years.
If you are a full-time worker on minimum wage in Kansas, your earnings could be as follows:
- Weekly Minimum Wage: $290 (based on a 40-hour week).
- Yearly Minimum Wage: $15,080 (based on being paid 52 weeks per year).
Did the Kansas Minimum Wage Go Up?
The graphic below highlights the Kansas minimum wage over the past several years. The minimum wage did not go up and remains at $7.25 per hour in 2023.
As mentioned previously, the Kansas state minimum wage increase is not likely to be enacted in 2024, and never took place in 2023. For more information regarding minimum wage laws and related labor laws, please visit the Kansas Department of Labor website.
Also, you can view and download the Kansas state minimum wage labor law poster for 2022-2023 here at no charge. Employers must display an official poster outlining the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), ensuring that accurate employee time and pay records are kept.
Kansas Minimum Wage History
The table below provides the current rate and history of Kansas’ minimum wage over the past 40+ years since 1983. You can see when there were increases in the minimum wage, how much they were, and what percentage increase it represents each year.
| State | Wage | $ Wage Increase | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2023 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2022 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2021 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2020 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2019 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2018 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2017 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2016 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2015 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2014 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2013 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2012 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2011 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2010 | $7.25 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2009 | $7.25 | $0.70 | 10.6% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2008 | $6.55 | $3.90 | 147.17% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2007 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2006 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2005 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2004 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2003 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2002 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2001 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 2000 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1999 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1998 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1997 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1996 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1995 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1994 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1993 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1992 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1991 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1990 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1989 | $2.65 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1988 | $2.65 | $1.05 | 65.62% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1987 | $1.60 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1986 | $1.60 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1985 | $1.60 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1984 | $1.60 | $0 | 0% |
| Kansas Minimum Wage 1983 | $1.60 | $0 | 0% |
Kansas Minimum Wage Exemptions
In addition to the regular minimum wage rate, there are a few Kansas state minimum wage exemptions that typically depend on your age or employment situation. Below are the various minimum wage exemptions with some situational examples.
Kansas Student Minimum Wage
The minimum wage for student employees in Kansas is 85% of the Kansas minimum wage, making their hourly pay $6.16 per hour in 2023.
This hourly rate is for any hours worked up to 20 hours per week. As a student employee, once you surpass 20 hours per week, you will be eligible to be paid the Kansas minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour.
Being a student can be financially challenging, leading many students to pick up part-time jobs to make extra money while studying. Despite a student minimum wage rate, many Kansas employers will not necessarily follow it and pay you equal to or more than the statewide minimum wage.
Many work-study programs are available at universities, which is a route many students go down. Still, coffee shop, cafe, bar, and restaurant jobs are commonly taken by students as they can work them into their class schedule.
Kansas Under 20 Minimum Wage
If you are under 20 years old in Kansas, federal law allows your employer to pay you as little as $4.25 per hour for your first 90 days of employment.
Once the 90-day period is over, you will be eligible to be paid the 2023 Kansas minimum wage of $7.25 per hour or potentially even more.
Fortunately for young workers, this is 90 calendar days and not 90 working days; therefore, it can be completed relatively quickly and within about three months.
Kansas Tipped Minimum Wage
If you are a tipped employee in Kansas (someone who receives regular tips as a part of their job) then you are eligible to be paid a minimum wage of $2.13 per hour, with a tip credit of $5.12 per hour, ensuring that you reach the statewide minimum wage regardless if you make enough hourly tips.
Kansas Overtime Minimum Wage
Once you work over 40 hours a week, you are eligible to be paid an overtime rate of 1.5 times your hourly wage for every hour you work past 40. So, the overtime Kansas state minimum wage is $10.88 per hour, 1.5 times the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.
