CT State Calculator

Connecticut Employee Cost Calculator

Connecticut employee cost calculator with $15.69 minimum wage, one of the highest in the nation. Calculate employer costs including SUI (1.8%-6.9%) and federal taxes.

Minimum Wage

$15.69/hr

SUI Rate (New)

1.90%

SUI Range

1.80% -6.90%

SUI Wage Base

$27,000

Calculator
$
Results

Enter salary and state, then click Calculate

Next step after calculating costsCT UI: 1.90% on first $27,000

Ready to run payroll in Connecticut?

Once you know the true employee cost, the next job is paying people correctly. Full-service payroll software can help with pay runs, tax filings, W-2s, new-hire reporting, and state unemployment details.

Automates federal and state payroll tax workflows
Useful before the first employee payroll run

Disclosure: some payroll links may be affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.

Key Facts About Hiring in Connecticut

Minimum wage: $15.69/hour

SUI rates: 1.8% to 6.9%

One of the highest minimum wages

Annual minimum wage increases

2026 Connecticut Employer Cost Snapshot

Connecticut employers should plan for a higher unemployment wage base than many states, state paid leave payroll setup, and New York metro compensation pressure in parts of the state.

Example: finance operations specialist
Base salary$72,000
Employer federal payroll taxes$5,550
CT UI estimate$513
Benefits/overhead placeholder$12,960
Planning total$91,023

Benefits are modeled at 18% for this example. Use the calculator above to replace this with your actual health insurance, retirement, and PTO assumptions.

What Changes the Estimate in Connecticut

Connecticut's 2026 taxable wage base is $27,000.

The 2026 new employer UI rate is 1.90%.

Connecticut paid leave and withholding setup should be configured separately from UI.

Fairfield County compensation can resemble New York metro hiring costs.

Employer Setup Checklist
  • Register with the Connecticut Department of Labor for unemployment tax.
  • Use the annual UI tax rate notice and taxable wage base for payroll setup.
  • Configure Connecticut paid leave deductions separately where applicable.
  • Check multi-state payroll rules for employees working across Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts.
Planning Notes for Connecticut
  • Connecticut SUI can remain relevant longer than low-base states because the wage base is $27,000.
  • Benefits and market salary are often the largest cost drivers for finance, healthcare, and professional roles.
  • This page should link to healthcare, payroll software, and contractor comparison content.
Next step after calculating costsCT UI: 1.90% on first $27,000

Ready to run payroll in Connecticut?

Once you know the true employee cost, the next job is paying people correctly. Full-service payroll software can help with pay runs, tax filings, W-2s, new-hire reporting, and state unemployment details.

Automates federal and state payroll tax workflows
Useful before the first employee payroll run

Disclosure: some payroll links may be affiliate links, at no extra cost to you.

Frequently Asked Questions - Connecticut

Calculate Connecticut Costs by Industry

Workers' compensation rates, turnover, and compliance requirements vary significantly by industry. See industry-specific costs for Connecticut.

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Automate payroll taxes, direct deposits, and compliance.

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