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Minimum Wage in Montana

Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 per hour in 2026, tips cannot be counted toward it, and it rises to $11.20 on January 1, 2027.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Montana at a glance

Minimum wage (per hour)
$10.85
Businesses with annual gross sales of $110,000 or less may pay $4.00, but employees covered by federal law must get at least $7.25.
Tipped cash wage (per hour)
$10.85 (no tip credit)
The minimum wage is set excluding the value of tips, so tipped workers get the full rate.
Next scheduled increase
$11.20 on January 1, 2027
Adjusted each January 1 by the national CPI-U, rounded to the nearest 5 cents.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Montana

What is the minimum wage in Montana in 2026?

Minimum wage (per hour) in Montana: $10.85. Businesses with annual gross sales of $110,000 or less may pay $4.00, but employees covered by federal law must get at least $7.25.

What is the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in Montana?

Tipped cash wage (per hour) in Montana: $10.85 (no tip credit). The minimum wage is set excluding the value of tips, so tipped workers get the full rate.

When is the next minimum wage increase in Montana?

Next scheduled increase in Montana: $11.20 on January 1, 2027. Adjusted each January 1 by the national CPI-U, rounded to the nearest 5 cents.

Where do the Montana minimum wage laws come from?

The rules above come from Mont. Code Ann. 39-3-409. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Check which rate applies before setting pay. Coverage rules, employer size thresholds, and exemptions for certain jobs or industries differ, and a local ordinance may require more than the state rate. The statute linked on each state page is the starting point.

Where a lower tipped cash wage is allowed, the employer usually must make up the difference whenever tips fall short of the full minimum wage for the pay period. Keeping accurate records of hours worked and tips reported helps show that every pay period met the minimum.

Rates can change on fixed dates, often January 1 or July 1, and some states adjust them each year for inflation. Reviewing pay rates, offer letters, and employment contracts ahead of each scheduled change helps avoid underpayment claims.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.