2021 Idaho Minimum Wage
The 2021 Idaho Minimum Wage is $7.25.
Effective 2021-01-01Source: Frequently Asked Questions on labor laws (Idaho Department of Labor)Verified 2026-09-01
Compared with 2020
Every figure on this page is unchanged from 2020.
| Item | 2020 | 2021 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $7.25 | $7.25 | +$0 (+0.0%) |
Who it applies to
Employers and employees subject to Idaho's state minimum wage law
What changed this year, and why
The minimum wage in Idaho remained $7.25 per hour for 2021.
Common questions
- What is the minimum wage in Idaho for 2021?
- The minimum wage in Idaho is $7.25 per hour for 2021.
Minors, students and training wages: who may be paid less than the rate on this page
In Idaho, certain workers may be paid below the standard $7.25 per hour minimum wage under specific circumstances. Tipped employees may be paid a lower cash wage of $3.35 per hour, with the expectation that tips will bring their total earnings up to at least the full minimum wage. New hires who are under the age of 20 may be paid a training wage of $4.25 per hour, but this reduced rate applies only for the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. After that period ends, the employer must pay the worker at least the regular minimum wage. These exceptions are established under Idaho Code, Section 44-1502. Workers and employers with questions about whether a particular situation qualifies for a subminimum wage should contact the Idaho Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
The minimum wage for a tipped employee is $3.35 per hour. The minimum wage for new hires under the age of 20 years old is $4.25 per hour but only for the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment.
Frequently Asked Questions on labor laws (Idaho Department of Labor)
Overtime is paid at one and one-half times the regular rate
In Idaho, the state does not set its own overtime rules; overtime is governed by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. Any nonexempt worker in the state who works more than 40 hours in a single workweek must be paid overtime at a rate of time and one half of their regular hourly rate for each hour beyond 40. Each workweek is calculated on its own — employers cannot average hours across two or more workweeks to avoid paying the premium. Only the U.S. Department of Labor can grant or approve an exemption from these rules, so both the employer and the individual employee must be classified as exempt for the overtime requirement not to apply. Idaho workers who believe they are owed overtime pay should direct their questions to the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
In accordance with the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, overtime must be paid at a rate of time and one half for all hours “worked” over 40 in a workweek, unless the employer or the individual employee is considered exempt.
Frequently Asked Questions on labor laws (Idaho Department of Labor)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers and employers in Idaho who have questions about the state minimum wage or need to file a complaint about unpaid wages should contact the Idaho Department of Labor. The department's labor compliance officers can answer questions about wage claims and help resolve disputes about pay. For issues involving federal wage and hour laws — such as overtime, tipped employee wages, or the youth training wage — Idaho workers should contact the nearest U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division office. There are two regional offices serving Idaho: one for Northern Idaho located in Seattle, Washington, and one for Southwestern and Eastern Idaho located in Portland, Oregon. Both offices can be reached toll-free. The Idaho Department of Labor also has jurisdiction over wage claims for work performed within the state, regardless of where the worker lives or where the employer is based.
How can employers check the status of wage claims filed against them? If the employer doesn’t remember who is handling the case, any labor compliance officer can answer questions regarding the claim at 208-332-3579.
Frequently Asked Questions on labor laws (Idaho Department of Labor)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
In Idaho, the minimum wage for a tipped employee is $3.35 per hour, which is significantly lower than the standard $7.25 per hour. This lower cash wage applies to workers who regularly receive tips as part of their compensation. The expectation is that tips will bring the employee's total earnings up to at least the full minimum wage for each hour worked. The document does not address whether the value of meals or lodging provided by an employer can be counted toward meeting the minimum wage requirement in Idaho. Workers and employers who have questions about tip credits or whether other forms of compensation can be applied toward the minimum wage should contact the Idaho Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division for clarification.
The minimum wage for a tipped employee is $3.35 per hour.
Frequently Asked Questions on labor laws (Idaho Department of Labor)
What an employer may deduct from your pay
Under Idaho law, employers generally may not withhold any portion of an employee's wages unless required by state or federal law, or if the employer has written authorization from the employee to make deductions from the paycheck. Even when the employee has provided written authorization for a deduction, in most cases that deduction cannot reduce the worker's pay below the minimum wage of $7.25 per hour. There is one exception: if an employer can provide proof that it gave the employee an advance or draw against future wages, the employer may withhold the full amount of that advance from any future paycheck, even if doing so brings that pay period's wages below the minimum. Idaho workers who believe their employer has made unlawful deductions should contact the Idaho Department of Labor or the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.
Employers may not withhold any portion of an employee’s wages unless required to by state or federal law or if the employer has written authorization to make deductions from an employee’s paycheck. In most cases, even with written authorization, the deduction cannot reduce wages below the minimum wage.
Frequently Asked Questions on labor laws (Idaho Department of Labor)
How each figure was verified
Each number below was read from a stored copy of the document named beside it, and checked to occur word for word in the quoted sentence. The digest is of that stored text.
Frequently Asked Questions on labor laws (Idaho Department of Labor)
- Hourly
The current Idaho state minimum wage is $7.25 per hour.
Other years
Every Idaho Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state