Washington vs Colorado: paid leave cost compared, 2026
On 25 employees and $2,000,000 of annual payroll, Colorado costs $17,600 in total premium and Washington costs $16,143 — a difference of $1,457 a year. The employer’s own exposure differs by more, because the two states split the premium differently.
Washington
$16,143
total premium on 25 staff and $2,000,000 payroll
- Employer pays
- $0
- Employees pay
- $16,143
- Rate applied
- 0.8072%
At 25 employees this employer qualifies for Washington’s small-employer rate.
Full Washington rate card →Colorado
$17,600
total premium on 25 staff and $2,000,000 payroll
- Employer pays
- $8,800
- Employees pay
- $8,800
- Rate applied
- 0.88%
Estimates only. Confirm current rates with your state agency before filing or budgeting.
Rules side by side
| Washington | Colorado | |
|---|---|---|
| Program | Paid Family and Medical Leave | Family and Medical Leave Insurance |
| Total contribution rate | 1.13% | 0.88% |
| Employer share | 28.57% | 50% |
| Employee share | 71.43% | 50% |
| Wage cap per employee | $184,500 | $184,500 |
| Small-employer relief | Under 50 staff → 0.8072% | Under 10 staff → 0.44% |
| Private plan allowed | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum weekly benefit | $1,647 | $1,448 |
What actually differs
- Who funds it. Washington splits it 28.57% employer to 71.43% employee. Colorado splits it 50% employer to 50% employee. Comparing the headline rates alone will mislead you whenever the splits differ this much.
- Where the cost stops. Both cap subject wages at $184,500 per employee — the federal Social Security base — so the rate difference is the whole story here.
- Small-employer treatment. Washington reduces the rate to 0.8072% below 50 employees, counted nationwide. Colorado reduces the rate to 0.44% below 10 employees, counted nationwide. If you are near either threshold, check which headcount basis applies before assuming you qualify.
Last verified August 19, 2026Source: Washington Employment Security Department
Last verified August 18, 2026Source: Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
Employing in both?
Add Washington and Colorado to the multi-state calculator and see the combined figure, with each state’s cap and small-employer rule applied separately.
Calculate both together