Statutory minimum wage in Montana (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Montana has a state minimum wage of $10.85 per hour, rising to $11.20 per hour on 1 January 2027; it is adjusted each year for the cost of living. A business not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act with gross annual sales of $110,000 or less may pay $4.00 per hour. The Department states that no training wage is allowed.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| National statutory minimum wageEmployees | Yes [1] |
| Current adult minimum wage (gross)Employees | $10.85 per hour [2] |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusionsEmployees | No training wage is allowed. Learners under 18 employed as farm workers may be excluded for up to 180 days from the start of employment, at not less than 50% of the minimum wage. [3] |
| Next scheduled changeEmployees | 1 January 2027 [2] |
| Amount from next change (gross)Employees | $11.20 per hour [2] |
| Minimum cash wage for tipped workersEmployees | No tip credit: tipped employees must be paid the full state minimum wage ($10.85 per hour) before tips. [2] |
| Overtime payEmployees | Time and a half for hours over 40 in a workweek. Farm workers are excluded; students at seasonal amusement or recreational areas who receive board and lodging get overtime only after 48 hours. [4] |
| Higher local minimum wagesEmployees | Local governments with self-government powers may not require employers (other than themselves) to pay a wage or benefit that state or federal law does not require (MCA 7-1-111(23)). [5] |
Notes
- A business not covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act whose gross annual sales are $110,000 or less may pay $4.00 per hour (MCA 39-3-409(3)); an employee who is covered by the federal act must be paid at least the higher of the federal and state rates. The rate is adjusted for the cost of living each 1 January.
Sources
- Montana Legislature: 39-3-409. Adoption of minimum wage rates -- exception, MCA (2025) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Montana Department of Labor and Industry: Montana's Minimum Wage (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Montana Department of Labor and Industry: Minimum Wage and Overtime Exemptions (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Montana Legislature: Montana Code Annotated 39-3-405, Overtime compensation (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
- Montana Legislature: Montana Code Annotated 7-1-111, Powers denied (self-government units) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| National statutory minimum wage | Yes (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Current adult minimum wage (gross) | $7.25 per hour (source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division) |
| Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | A new employee under 20 years of age may be paid not less than $4.25 an hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment with an employer. (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Montana and neighbouring states
| State | National statutory minimum wage | Current adult minimum wage (gross) | Age bands, reduced rates and exclusions | Next scheduled change | Amount from next change (gross) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | Yes | $10.85 per hour | No training wage; farm learners under 18 at 50% | 1 January 2027 | $11.20 per hour |
| Idaho | Yes | $7.25 per hour | New hires under 20 years of age may be paid $4.25 per hour, but only for the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| North Dakota | Yes (state law) | $7.25 per hour | None; vocational students 85% (licence) | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| South Dakota | Yes (state law) | $11.85 per hour | Under 20: federal opportunity wage allowed | 1 January 2027 (annual CPI adjustment) | ⚠ Not yet verified |
| Wyoming | Yes (state law, $5.15) | $7.25 (federal; state basic rate $5.15) | Under 20: $4.25 for first 90 days | ⚠ Not yet verified | ⚠ Not yet verified |
More rules in Montana
- CannabisPossession for personal use: Legal for adults 21+, within limits · Growing at home: Yes: 2 mature plants, 2 seedlings
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 25 mph · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 70 mph day / 65 night
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 15 (after 6 months on a learner licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 14.5 with a traffic education course
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Bicycle (one class)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: Yes (permissible fireworks)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Carry offence covers firearms only · Locking or one-handed knives: No section on automatic knives listed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes, every designated seat · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes, every designated seat
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (sales/provision banned) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (sales/provision banned)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% under 21
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.