Colorado Labor Burden Calculator

Find the fully burdened labor rate in Colorado, pre-filled with local SUI and tax estimates.

Pre-filled with Colorado estimates: SUI 1.7%, state income tax ~4.4%. Edit any field below.

Social Security + Medicare (7.65%)

Federal unemployment (effective 0.6%)

Health, retirement, etc.

$37.04/hr

Fully burdened rate

23.4%

Burden added

$77,033

Annual cost

Burden breakdown

Employer FICA (Social Security + Medicare)7.7% · $2.30/hr
Federal Unemployment (FUTA)0.6% · $0.18/hr
State Unemployment (SUI)1.7% · $0.51/hr
Workers' Compensation1.5% · $0.45/hr
Benefits (health, retirement)8.0% · $2.40/hr
Overhead (PTO, equipment, admin)4.0% · $1.20/hr
Total burden23.4% · $7.04/hr

A $37.04/hr fully burdened rate is real money per placement. Skillora's AI screens every candidate so you only pay for the right ones.

Screen Candidates with AI

Estimates only, using editable 2025 US defaults. Tax and insurance rates vary by employer, classification, and locality — verify with a licensed accountant before relying on these figures.

Skillora AI Resume Screener

Know your true cost in Colorado. Then hire smarter.

Skillora's AI screens and scores every resume against your role so your burdened payroll goes to people who fit.

  • Screen up to 500 resumes at once
  • Skill, experience, and fit scores
  • Top matches surfaced automatically
Try AI Resume Screener Free

Free to start · No credit card required

Calculating the fully burdened labor rate in Colorado starts with federal payroll taxes and adds the state-specific pieces. Flat 4.4% income tax with a mid-range SUI wage base. This calculator pre-fills Colorado's estimated new-employer SUI rate of 1.7% on a $23,800 wage base, then lets you layer in workers compensation, benefits, and overhead.

The result is the true hourly and annual cost of an employee in Colorado — the number you need before setting a bill rate or comparing a W2 hire against a 1099 contractor.

Labor Burden in Other States

ConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaii

More Free Staffing Calculators

Staffing Rate Calculator

All four staffing calculators in one tool.

1099 vs W2 Calculator

Compare employer cost and worker take-home.

Bill Rate Calculator

Turn a pay rate into a client bill rate.

Staffing Markup Calculator

Convert between markup and margin.

Time-to-Hire Calculator

Benchmark your hiring speed and cost of delay.

Colorado Labor Burden FAQ

What is the labor burden rate in Colorado?
In Colorado, the employer labor burden combines federal taxes (FICA 7.65%, FUTA 0.6%) with the state unemployment (SUI) rate — estimated around 1.7% for new employers on a $23,800 wage base — plus workers compensation, benefits, and overhead. Most Colorado employers land between 15% and 30% total burden. Every rate is editable in the calculator above.
How is the fully burdened rate calculated in Colorado?
Add all employer costs as a percentage of the base wage, then multiply the pay rate by (1 + total burden). The calculator pre-fills Colorado's SUI estimate and lets you adjust workers comp and benefits to match your business.
Does Colorado have a state income tax?
Yes. Colorado levies a state income tax (effective rate roughly 4.4% for a typical earner). Note that income tax is paid by the worker and does not affect the employer's labor burden — it matters for the 1099 vs W2 take-home comparison instead.
Are these numbers tax advice?
No. These are editable 2025 estimates. Colorado SUI rates are experience-rated per employer and workers comp varies by class code — confirm with a licensed accountant.