Colorado Hourly Paycheck Calculator

The Colorado Hourly Paycheck Calculator provides a detailed breakdown of what you’ll actually take home after taxes, deductions, and contributions. Designed for hourly employees across Colorado, including Denver’s higher minimum wage areas, it’s essential for budgeting and financial planning.

Colorado Hourly Paycheck Calculator

🔍 Why It Matters

  • Transparent net pay insight: Calculate exact take-home pay after all withholdings.
  • Minimum wage tracking: Reflects the updated Colorado minimum wage of $14.81/hr and Denver’s $19/hr rates Axios+11TimeTrex+11OnPay+11.
  • Overtime & extras management: Converts multiple rates and overtime hours into accurate earnings.

⚙️ How It Works

  1. Enter hourly rates & hours: Handles regular and overtime rates across up to six pay types PaycheckCity.
  2. Provide W‑4 info: Federal and state withholding allowances, filing status, and any extra deductions PaycheckCity.
  3. Add deductions: Pre-tax (401(k), insurance) and post-tax (Roth IRA, garnishments) options included TimeTrex+10SmartAsset+10PaycheckCity+10.
  4. Calculate takes care of federal, FICA, Medicare, and Colorado flat 4.4% income tax PaycheckCity.
  5. Local tax inclusion: Applies local taxes if your work city (e.g., Denver, Aurora) imposes them Axios+3PaycheckCity+3SmartAsset+3.

🧾 Example Scenario

  • Details: 40 h @ $15/hr regular, 5 h @ $22.50/hr overtime (1.5×), filing single, no extra deductions.
  • Gross: $600 + $112.50 = $712.50.
  • Withholding:
    • Federal + FICA/Medicare (~15%) = ~$106.88
    • CO tax (4.4%) = ~$31.35
  • Take-home: ~$574 (before local deductions and benefits)
    —giving you a clear snapshot of real earnings per paycheck.

✅ Key Features

🌟 Best Practices

  • Stay current: Colorado’s wage laws evolve—local minima may exceed state levels TimeTrex.
  • Adjust for real hours: Input actual billed and OT hours for accurate gross pay.
  • Review W‑4 annually: Changes in life or income affect withholdings SmartAssetTimeTrex+3Gusto+3SmartAsset+3.
  • Consider benefits: Pre-tax plans lower taxable income—enter them for accurate take-home estimates.

📚 20 FAQs

  1. What’s Colorado’s hourly minimum wage in 2025?
    It’s $14.81, with Denver at $19.00/hr OnPay+3TimeTrex+3ADP+3Gusto+5Axios+5PaycheckCity+5.
  2. How is overtime handled?
    Paid at 1.5× the regular rate for hours over 40/week PaycheckCitySurePayroll.
  3. Does the calculator include local taxes?
    Yes—applies if you work in municipalities like Denver or Aurora SmartAsset.
  4. What pre-tax deductions exist?
    Common items: 401(k), medical, dental, HSA, FSAs OnPay+3SmartAsset+3PaycheckCity+3.
  5. What’s the Colorado state income tax rate?
    A flat 4.4% in 2025 ADP+3TimeTrex+3Wikipedia+3Gusto+4PaycheckCity+4SmartAsset+4.
  6. Do I need W‑4 allowances?
    Yes—used to calculate federal & state withholding SmartAssetADP+2PaycheckCity+2Gusto+2.
  7. How many pay frequencies are supported?
    Weekly, bi‑weekly, semi‑monthly, monthly, quarterly, semi‑annually, annual TimeTrexTimeTrex+2SmartAsset+2OnPay+2.
  8. Do local taxes change net pay significantly?
    Varies by city but important for accurate take-home estimates OnPay.
  9. Are pre-tax deductions handled?
    Yes—they reduce taxable income before withholding SmartAsset.
  10. What about state FLI or SUI?
    Colorado includes Family Leave Insurance where applicable, deducted from pay Gusto+3PaycheckCity+3SmartAsset+3.
  11. Can I include post-tax deductions?
    Definitely—Roth 401(k), misc garnishments, etc. SmartAsset.
  12. Is payroll compliance ensured?
    The tool follows Colorado and IRS guidelines, emulating ADP, Gusto, OnPay ADP+2OnPay+2TimeTrex+2OnPay+2OnPay+2TimeTrex+2.
  13. Does it handle multiple hourly rates?
    Yes—up to six rates for shift or OT differences SurePayroll+1OnPay+1Gusto+2PaycheckCity+2Gusto+2.
  14. How accurate are tax calculations?
    Highly accurate if W‑4 and hours are entered correctly; consult a tax professional for final filings Gusto+7PaycheckCity+7SmartAsset+7.
  15. Does it account for new IRAs/HSA?
    Yes—enter contributions for accurate net income SmartAsset.
  16. What if I don't fill a W‑4?
    Default withholding applies as single with zero allowances SmartAssetSmartAsset+2OnPay+2PaycheckCity+2.
  17. Can it predict annual take-home?
    Use pay frequency multiplier (e.g., 26× for bi-weekly) to calculate annual net.
  18. Is tip wage included?
    Enter as a separate hourly rate alongside tip credits.
  19. Does Colorado require overtime over 12hrs/day?
    Yes—state law mandates 1.5× pay after 12 hours/day and all hours over 40/week TimeTrexTimeTrex+4SurePayroll+4PaycheckCity+4.
  20. Can businesses use this for payroll?
    Yes—it emulates popular providers (Gusto, ADP, OnPay) for hourly staff calculations ADPGustoOnPaySurePayroll.

🏁 Final Thoughts

The Colorado Hourly Paycheck Calculator offers an accurate, transparent, and user-friendly tool to determine take-home pay. By including overtime, pre and post-tax deductions, federal/state/local taxes, and updated wage laws, it gives both employees and employers clarity in financial planning.