Montana minimum wage 2026–2027: $4.00–$10.85 now, $11.20 on January 1, 2027
Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 an hour, in force since January 1, 2026 – $3.60 more than the federal $7.25. The next change is on January 1, 2027: $11.20 an hour (+$0.35, 3.2%), announced by the state.
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Montana minimum wage pay calculator
Montana minimum wage rates
| Who | Rate | From | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most workers (state rate) | $10.85 | January 1, 2026 | official |
| Businesses not covered by the federal FLSA with gross sales of $110,000 or less | $4.00 | now | official |
| Scheduled increase | $11.20 | January 1, 2027 | announcement |
| Tipped workers (cash wage) | $10.85 (full wage) | now | official |
When does the Montana minimum wage go up?
The next change is on January 1, 2027: $11.20 an hour (+$0.35, 3.2%), announced by the state. Adjusted each January 1 by the CPI-U.
Tipped workers in Montana
Montana does not allow a tip credit: tipped workers – servers, bartenders, hotel and salon staff – must be paid the full $10.85 an hour before tips, and tips are on top.
Who is covered, and who can be paid less
Businesses not covered by the federal FLSA with gross sales of $110,000 or less: $4.00 an hour. Montana publishes no separate youth rate; the federal law allows $4.25 for workers under 20 in their first 90 days only where the state rate does not apply. Jobs covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act never get less than $7.25.
Montana minimum wage history
On January 1, 2020 the Montana minimum wage was $8.65; today it is $10.85 – up $2.20, or 25.4%.
| January 1 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $8.65 | $8.75 | $9.20 | $9.95 | $10.30 | $10.55 | $10.85 |
How Montana compares
Montana ranks 30th of the 50 states and D.C. The average statewide minimum wage is $11.53; Montana's $10.85 is $0.68 below it. Neighbors: Idaho $7.25, North Dakota $7.25, South Dakota $11.85, Wyoming $7.25.
Overtime and pay rules
Overtime: Over 40 hours a week, at one and a half times the regular rate. A full-time week at the minimum wage pays $434.00; with 5 overtime hours it is $515.38.
Good to know
- Montana does not allow a tip credit (DOL tipped table).
Where to get help
The minimum wage in Montana is enforced by the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Employment Standards; wage claims: erd.dli.mt.gov. The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division takes complaints in every state at 1-866-487-9243, and your name is kept confidential.
Montana minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in Montana right now?
$4.00–$10.85 an hour for most adult workers (Businesses not covered by the federal FLSA with gross sales of $110,000 or less: $4.00). Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 an hour, in force since January 1, 2026 – $3.60 more than the federal $7.25.
What will the Montana minimum wage be in 2027?
$11.20 an hour from January 1, 2027 – announced by the state.
What is the tipped minimum wage in Montana?
Montana does not allow a tip credit: tipped workers – servers, bartenders, hotel and salon staff – must be paid the full $10.85 an hour before tips, and tips are on top.
How much is the Montana minimum wage per year?
At $10.85 an hour and 40 hours a week, $434.00 a week, about $1,881 a month and $22,568 a year before taxes. At the 2027 rate of $11.20: $23,296 a year.
Where do I report unpaid minimum wage in Montana?
With the Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Employment Standards – or with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (1-866-487-9243). Keep your pay stubs and a record of your hours.
Other states
Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws, Consolidated Minimum Wage Table and Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026 editions), the DOL's history table, and each state's and city's own labor department pages, linked on every state page. Checked October 16, 2026. Rates are for most adult, non-exempt workers; some jobs, industries and employers are exempt or have other rates. This is general information, not legal advice – the state labor department has the final word.