Calculate your overtime pay in Denver based on your hourly rate and hours worked, using the federal FLSA 40-hour rule for 2026.
Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources
Applicable minimum wage in Denver: $18.29/hour
Colorado requires overtime under its state COMPS Order in addition to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act: non-exempt employees earn 1.5x their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek, beyond 12 in a workday, or beyond 12 consecutive hours, whichever results in the most overtime.
| Rule | Denver (CO) Requirement |
|---|---|
| Weekly overtime threshold | 40 hours/week (1.5x) |
| Daily overtime | 1.5x after 12 hours/day (COMPS Order) |
| Double time | Not required under state or federal law |
| Seventh consecutive day | No special rule (12 consecutive hours triggers 1.5x) |
| Applicable minimum wage | $18.29/hour |
| Federal overtime rate | 1.5x regular rate (FLSA) |
Your overtime rate is based on your regular rate of pay, which includes hourly wages and most non-discretionary bonuses. For example, at $18.29/hour a standard 1.5x overtime hour pays $27.43.
Denver is the capital and economic center of Colorado and the Mountain West, with an economy spanning aerospace and defense, energy, financial services, healthcare, a major federal presence, and a fast-growing technology and outdoor-recreation industry along the Front Range.
| Local Metric | Denver (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 715,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | the City and County of Denver |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 115 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $22.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $44.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $18.29/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $1,700/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $2,150/month |
| Median home price | $560,000 |
| Median household income | $85,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 8.81% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.52% of value/year |
Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.
In Denver, Colorado requires overtime under its state COMPS Order in addition to the federal Fair Labor Standards Act: non-exempt employees earn 1.5x their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek, beyond 12 in a workday, or beyond 12 consecutive hours, whichever results in the most overtime. Overtime is based on your regular rate of pay, which includes most non-discretionary bonuses, not just your base hourly wage.
The applicable minimum wage in Denver is $18.29/hour. Denver sets its own local minimum wage well above the Colorado statewide rate and adjusts it each January for inflation. Overtime must be at least 1.5x your regular rate, and if your rate is higher than the minimum, overtime is figured on your actual rate.
Yes. Under Colorado's COMPS Order, workers in Denver earn 1.5x overtime after 12 hours in a single workday or after 12 consecutive hours, in addition to weekly overtime after 40 hours, whichever yields the most pay.
Salaried executive, administrative, and professional employees who earn above the FLSA salary threshold ($684/week) and meet the duties tests are generally exempt, as are most independent contractors. Colorado applies its own COMPS Order exemptions and a state salary threshold higher than the federal level, so some workers who are exempt under federal law still earn overtime in Denver. Check with an employment attorney for your situation.
Overtime is taxed as ordinary wages. New for 2026, the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act lets eligible non-exempt workers deduct up to $12,500 ($25,000 for joint filers) of overtime pay from federal taxable income. Colorado taxes overtime as ordinary income at its flat 4.4% rate and has not adopted a matching state deduction. Consult a tax professional to confirm eligibility.