.png)
Kansas has a straightforward payroll profile with a top income tax rate of 5.7% and low SUTA costs. Kansas City (KS/MO metro) adds a local earnings tax layer for Kansas City, KS employees. Rippling handles KS DOR, KDOL, and workers’ comp compliance.
Kansas is a major Great Plains economy with strengths in agriculture, aviation/aerospace (Wichita is the “Air Capital of the World”), manufacturing, financial services, and a growing technology sector in the Kansas City metro area (shared with Missouri). Kansas payroll is relatively straightforward: a progressive income tax (top rate 5.7%), no state-mandated paid leave, and workers’ compensation required for employers with 1+ employee in most industries. Kansas is a right-to-work state.
Rippling’s Kansas payroll module provides:
| Contribution | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FUTA | 6.0% (net 0.6%) | After SUTA credit; first $7,000 |
| KS SUI (KDOL) | New employer 2.7% | On first $14,000 of wages (2024) |
| Social Security | 6.2% | Up to $168,600 (2024) |
| Medicare | 1.45% | No wage base limit |
| Workers’ Compensation | Varies by risk class | Required for 1+ employee (most industries) |
.svg)
| Contribution | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Income Tax | Graduated 10–37% | Per W-4 |
| Social Security | 6.2% | Up to $168,600 (2024) |
| Medicare | 1.45% + 0.9% surtax | Surtax above $200K single |
| Kansas State Income Tax | 3.1%–5.7% | 3-bracket progressive; top rate 5.7% on income above $30,000 single |
| Kansas Income (Single) | KS Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to $15,000 | 3.1% |
| $15,001–$30,000 | 5.25% |
| Above $30,000 | 5.7% |
KS withholding remitted to KS DOR. Annual KW-3 reconciliation. Kansas has a relatively simple 3-bracket system.
Final Pay: Kansas requires final pay on the next regularly scheduled payday. Accrued vacation: Kansas Wage Payment Act treats promised vacation as wages if the employer’s policy provides for payout. A written forfeiture policy clearly communicated before employment is generally enforceable.
Kansas has a 3-bracket progressive income tax: 3.1% (up to $15,000); 5.25% ($15,001–$30,000); and 5.7% (above $30,000) for single filers. The top rate of 5.7% applies at a relatively low threshold. Kansas has considered further rate reductions in recent legislative sessions. Rippling applies the current Kansas withholding tables.
Kansas requires workers’ comp coverage for employers with 1 or more employees in most industries. This is one of the lowest thresholds nationally. Coverage through private insurers or the Kansas Insurance Department assigned risk pool. The Kansas Division of Workers’ Compensation administers claims.
Wichita is the “Air Capital of the World” — home to Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, Textron, Cessna, and Learjet manufacturing operations. Aviation/aerospace is the primary employer sector, supplemented by healthcare and financial services. Wichita engineering and manufacturing salaries benchmark to aerospace industry national rates.
Kansas has no state-mandated paid family leave or state disability insurance (SDI). Employees rely on federal FMLA (12 weeks unpaid, 50+ employee employers) and any employer-provided policies. Kansas is a right-to-work state with a generally employer-friendly regulatory environment.
