2024 Montana Minimum Wage
The 2024 Montana Minimum Wage is $10.30.
Effective 2024-01-01Source: Montana's Minimum Wage (Effective 1/1/2024) poster (Montana Department of Labor & Industry)Verified 2026-08-31
Compared with 2023
| Item | 2023 | 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $9.95 | $10.30 | +$0.35 (+3.5%) |
Who it applies to
Employers and employees covered by Montana's state minimum wage law
What changed this year, and why
Montana's minimum wage increased to $10.30 per hour, up from $9.95 per hour in 2023.
Common questions
- Is there a lower rate for small businesses or a tip credit?
- Yes. A business not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act whose gross annual sales fall below a set threshold may pay a lower hourly rate. Montana does not allow a tip credit, training wage, or meal credit.
Minors, students and training wages: who may be paid less than the rate on this page
In Montana, the minimum wage is $10.30 per hour for most workers. However, certain employers may pay a lower rate. A business that is not covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act and whose gross annual sales are $110,000 or less may pay employees $4.00 per hour instead of the standard minimum wage. Montana does not allow a separate training wage for minors or students, so young workers at covered employers must receive at least $10.30 per hour. Additionally, Montana does not permit tip credits or meal credits, meaning employers cannot reduce wages below the minimum based on tips received or the value of meals provided. If an individual employee is engaged in interstate commerce or otherwise covered by federal law, that employee must be paid the greater of the federal minimum wage or Montana's minimum wage, regardless of the employer's size or sales volume.
Exception: A business not covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act whose gross annual sales are $110,000 or less may pay $4.00 per hour.
Montana's Minimum Wage (Effective 1/1/2024) poster (Montana Department of Labor & Industry)
Overtime is paid at one and one-half times the regular rate
In Montana, employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek must receive overtime pay at a rate of at least 1½ times their regular hourly rate for each hour worked beyond 40. For a worker earning the Montana minimum wage of $10.30 per hour, this means overtime hours must be paid at a premium above that regular rate. Some employees are excluded from overtime requirements. Workers can contact the Montana Department of Labor & Industry to determine whether specific exclusions apply to their job. Employers must track hours worked and ensure that non-exempt employees receive proper overtime compensation for all hours worked over 40 in a single workweek. This overtime requirement applies statewide regardless of the employer's size or industry.
Employees who work in excess of 40 hours in a workweek must receive overtime compensation at a rate of at least 1½ times their regular hourly rate for those hours worked over 40.
Montana's Minimum Wage (Effective 1/1/2024) poster (Montana Department of Labor & Industry)
Who to ask about this rate, and where to take a wage complaint
Workers in Montana with questions about the minimum wage or wage complaints should contact the Montana Department of Labor & Industry. The department handles inquiries about the $10.30 per hour minimum wage rate, overtime pay, timely payment of wages, and other wage and hour issues. Montana maintains a Department of Labor & Industry office in Helena that processes wage complaints and provides information about state wage laws. Employees who believe their employer is not paying the correct minimum wage, is not paying overtime when required, or is not paying wages on time should reach out to this department. The department can explain whether an employee is covered by state minimum wage requirements and can help resolve wage disputes between workers and employers in Montana.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: DEPARTMENT OF LABOR & INDUSTRY
Montana's Minimum Wage (Effective 1/1/2024) poster (Montana Department of Labor & Industry)
State minimum wage laws that give more than the federal rate
Montana and the federal government each have their own minimum wage laws. When both apply, the rule is simple: the employee receives the higher of the two rates. Montana's minimum wage of $10.30 per hour is higher than the federal minimum wage, so most workers in Montana are paid at least $10.30 per hour. However, when an employee is engaged in interstate commerce or is otherwise covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, that employee must be paid the greater of either the federal minimum wage or Montana's minimum wage. This means that even if Montana's rate were ever lower than the federal rate in the future, covered employees would still receive the federal rate. The system ensures that workers in Montana always receive whichever minimum wage provides them greater protection, whether that comes from the state or from federal law.
the greater of either the federal minimum wage or Montana’s minimum wage.
Montana's Minimum Wage (Effective 1/1/2024) poster (Montana Department of Labor & Industry)
When tips, meals or lodging count toward the minimum wage
Montana does not allow employers to count tips, meals, or lodging toward the minimum wage. Unlike some states that permit a tip credit or allow the value of meals and lodging to offset wage obligations, Montana requires employers to pay the full $10.30 per hour minimum wage in cash regardless of any tips received by the employee or any meals or lodging provided. This means tipped workers in Montana must receive at least $10.30 per hour from their employer before counting any tips. Similarly, employers cannot reduce a worker's pay below the minimum wage by deducting the cost of meals or housing provided to the employee. Montana also prohibits a separate training wage, so no category of worker may be paid a subminimum rate based on tip income, fringe benefits, or training status.
NO TIP CREDIT, TRAINING WAGE OR MEAL CREDIT IS ALLOWED IN THE STATE OF MONTANA
Montana's Minimum Wage (Effective 1/1/2024) poster (Montana Department of Labor & Industry)
Why the federal rate applies when the state rate is lower
When Montana's minimum wage is lower than the federal minimum wage, the federal rate applies to covered employees. Currently, Montana's rate of $10.30 per hour is higher than the federal rate, so most workers receive the state rate. However, if an individual employee is producing or moving goods between states or is otherwise covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, that employee must be paid the greater of either the federal minimum wage or Montana's minimum wage. This means that with some limited exceptions, the federal minimum wage rate applies when it is higher than the state rate. The exception applies to certain businesses not covered by federal law, which may pay a lower rate. But even in those businesses, any employee engaged in interstate commerce must receive the higher of the two rates. This system ensures workers in Montana always receive the most protective wage standard available to them.
otherwise covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act, that employee must be paid the greater of either the federal minimum wage or Montana’s minimum wage.
Montana's Minimum Wage (Effective 1/1/2024) poster (Montana Department of Labor & Industry)
How the rate is adjusted each year, and who announces it
Montana's minimum wage is adjusted each year based on inflation. The rate is subject to a cost-of-living adjustment based on the Consumer Price Index, and the new rate must be announced no later than September 30th of each year. This means the $10.30 per hour rate for 2024 may increase in future years as the cost of living rises. The adjustment is tied to the Consumer Price Index, a standard measure of inflation that tracks changes in the prices of goods and services. Montana's minimum wage is also designed to be the greater of the federal or current state minimum wage, so if the federal rate increases above the state rate, Montana workers would receive the higher federal amount. The annual adjustment process ensures that Montana's minimum wage keeps pace with inflation and maintains its purchasing power for workers across the state.
Consumer Price Index no later than September 30th of each year.
Montana's Minimum Wage (Effective 1/1/2024) poster (Montana Department of Labor & Industry)
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.
Montana's Minimum Wage (Effective 1/1/2024) poster (Montana Department of Labor & Industry)
- Hourly
MONTANA'S MINIMUM WAGE (Effective 1/1/2024) $10.30*
Other years
Every Montana Minimum Wage year · Minimum Wage in every state