DOL base 1.53%; 3.05% total incl. surcharges (secondary).
Minimum wage: Denver and some cities set higher local minimums.
2What this employee costs you
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire an employee in Colorado?
A full-time worker at $18.00/hour ($37,440 a year) with 10 PTO days costs about $41,673 a year before benefits: employer payroll tax $2,864, FUTA $42, Colorado unemployment $933 and typical workers' comp $393. That's $20.84 per hour worked.
What is the Colorado SUTA rate for new employers in 2026?
3.05% on the first $30,600 of each employee's wages (includes state surcharges per a secondary source; base rate per DOL 1.53%). DOL base 1.53%; 3.05% total incl. surcharges (secondary).
What is the Colorado minimum wage in 2026?
$15.16 per hour. Denver and some cities set higher local minimums.
How much is workers' comp in Colorado?
The 2024 Oregon premium-rate study puts Colorado's all-industry index rate at $1.05 per $100 of payroll (rank 28 of 51; national median $1.09). Your real rate depends on job class and claims history.
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