Colorado vs New York Payroll Comparison
Compare payroll compliance requirements between Colorado and New York. See key differences in wages, taxes, leave policies, and employer obligations.
Compare State Payroll Requirements
Select 2 states to compare their payroll compliance requirements side-by-side.
| Requirement | Colorado | New York |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | ⚠️$15.16/hour (2026); Denver $19.29 | ⚠️$17.00/hr NYC/LI/Westchester, $16.00/hr rest of state (2026) |
| Tipped Minimum | $12.14 + tips (2026) | Varies by region and industry |
| Overtime Threshold | 40 hrs/week AND 12 hrs/day | 40 hours/week (FLSA) |
| Final Pay (Termination) | ⚠️Immediately | Next regular payday |
| Final Pay (Resignation) | Next regular payday | Next regular payday |
| PTO Payout Required? | ⚠️Yes (vacation is earned wages) | ✓No (unless policy requires) |
| Pay Frequency Mandate | Monthly, semi-monthly, or more frequent | Weekly for manual workers; semi-monthly for others |
| State Income Tax | ⚠️Yes (4.4% flat rate) | ⚠️Yes (4% - 10.9%) |
| Unemployment Insurance | Yes | Yes |
| State Disability Insurance | ✓No (FAMLI covers some) | ⚠️Yes (DBL required) |
| Paid Family Leave (FAMLI) | ⚠️Yes (starting 2024) | N/A |
| Paid Sick Leave | ⚠️Yes (48 hours/year) | ⚠️Yes (40-56 hours depending on employer size) |
| Workers' Comp Required | ⚠️Yes (all employers) | ⚠️Yes (all employers) |
| Paid Family Leave | N/A | ⚠️Yes (up to 12 weeks) |
Key Differences: Colorado vs New York
COColorado
- Minimum Wage:$15.16/hour (2026); Denver $19.29
- Tipped Minimum:$12.14 + tips (2026)
- Overtime Threshold:40 hrs/week AND 12 hrs/day
- Final Pay (Termination):Immediately
- Final Pay (Resignation):Next regular payday
- PTO Payout Required?:Yes (vacation is earned wages)
NYNew York
- Minimum Wage:$17.00/hr NYC/LI/Westchester, $16.00/hr rest of state (2026)
- Tipped Minimum:Varies by region and industry
- Overtime Threshold:40 hours/week (FLSA)
- Final Pay (Termination):Next regular payday
- Final Pay (Resignation):Next regular payday
- PTO Payout Required?:No (unless policy requires)
Understanding Colorado and New York Payroll Differences
State Income Tax: Colorado has state income tax (Yes (4.4% flat rate)), while New York has state income tax (Yes (4% - 10.9%)). This significantly impacts both employer withholding responsibilities and employee take-home pay.
Minimum Wage: Colorado minimum wage is $15.16/hour (2026); Denver $19.29, compared to New York at $17.00/hr NYC/LI/Westchester, $16.00/hr rest of state (2026). Employers must pay at least the higher of federal, state, or local minimum wage requirements.
Paid Sick Leave: Colorado: Yes (48 hours/year). New York: Yes (40-56 hours depending on employer size). States with mandatory paid sick leave require employers to track accruals and provide specific leave entitlements.
For complete compliance requirements, review the full state guides for Colorado and New York.