Montana minimum wage
Minimum wage in Montana, in effect since January 1, 2026
$10.85 an hour
That is $3.60 above the federal minimum of $7.25. Employers in Montana pay the higher state rate.
The rate differs by employer type; see the table below.
Next increase: $11.20 on January 1, 2027.
Rates by employer
| Employer or category | Hourly minimum | Tipped cash wage |
|---|---|---|
| Businesses with gross annual sales over $110,000 (or employees covered by the FLSA) | $10.85 | $10.85 |
| Businesses not covered by the FLSA with gross annual sales of $110,000 or less An employee producing or moving goods between states, or otherwise covered by the FLSA, must get the higher of the federal or Montana rate. | $4.00 | $4.00 |
Tipped employees
Montana doesn't allow a tip credit. Tipped employees must get the full $10.85 an hour from the employer, and tips are on top.
Youth and training wages
Montana allows no training wage; minors get the full minimum wage.
Scheduled increases
| Effective date | Standard rate | Tipped cash wage | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 (current) | $10.85 | $10.85 | In effect |
| January 1, 2027 | $11.20 | $11.20 | Announced MT DLI cost-of-living adjustment; 2027 poster and determination letter posted. |
How future increases are set
Adjusted each January 1 by the change in CPI from August to August, rounded to the nearest five cents; set by September 30.
Exceptions and details
- No tip credit, meal credit or training wage is allowed under Montana wage and hour law.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Montana?
- $10.85 an hour, in effect since January 1, 2026.
- What is the tipped minimum wage in Montana?
- Montana doesn't allow a tip credit, so tipped employees get the full $10.85 an hour before tips.
- When does the Montana minimum wage go up?
- It rises to $11.20 on January 1, 2027.
Running payroll in Montana?
Recent changes
Last verified against the official source on October 9, 2026.
No changes recorded since we started tracking this page.
Sources
- Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Employment Standards Division · data as of January 1, 2026 · last checked October 9, 2026
We copy figures from official sources and re-check them against the source before every update. See our methodology. This is general information, not legal advice.