Montana minimum wage 2027: $11.20 an hour
Reviewed Nov 12, 2026 16 official sources How we verify
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Montana minimum wage 2027: $11.20 per hour from January 1, 2027 (Montana DLI 2027 determination letter; Montana DLI state minimum wage page). Verified Nov 12, 2026 on two official pages.
Is the minimum wage going up in Montana in 2027?
Yes. Montana's minimum wage goes up to $11.20 per hour from January 1, 2027. (Montana DLI 2027 determination letter)
Minimum wage today: $10.85 per hour (state $4.00 applies only to employers not covered by the FLSA with gross annual sales of $110,000 or less, and not to an employee individually covered by the FLSA) (Montana minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026); verified Sep 27, 2026).
“Pursuant to §39-3-409 MCA, Montana’s Minimum Wage will increase to $11.20 per hour effective January 1, 2027.”
Second official source: “Current Minimum Wage: $10.85 (Effective 1/1/2027: $11.20)” (Montana DLI state minimum wage page).
What changes for Montana employers in 2027
Rate in force now: Montana minimum wage is $10.85 per hour for businesses with gross annual sales of more than $110,000. (Montana minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026); Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Wage and Hour FAQs; verified Sep 27, 2026).
Who the Montana minimum wage covers, in the verified rules in force now:
- A business not covered by the federal FLSA with gross annual sales of $110,000 or less may pay $4.00 per hour, unless an individual employee is covered by the FLSA (then the greater of the federal or Montana minimum wage applies). (Montana minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026); Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Montana's Minimum Wage; verified Sep 27, 2026)
Paying the minimum wage in Montana: paydays, final pay and breaks
- Paydays: If there is no established pay period or time when wages are due, the pay period is presumed to be semimonthly. (Montana payday (U.S. DOL WHD, State Payday Requirements, footnote 13); Mont. Code Ann. 39-3-204(3); verified Sep 27, 2026)
- Final pay after a firing: When an employee is discharged for cause or laid off, all unpaid wages are due immediately, unless the employer has a written policy extending payment to the next regular payday or 15 days after separation, whichever comes first. (Mont. Code Ann. § 39-3-205(2); Montana DLI, Wage and Hour FAQ; verified Sep 24, 2026)
- Final pay after a resignation: When an employee quits, unpaid wages are due on the next regular payday for the pay period of separation or within 15 days, whichever comes first. (Mont. Code Ann. § 39-3-205(1); Montana DLI, Wage and Hour FAQ; verified Sep 24, 2026)
- Meal breaks: No state meal break requirement for adult employees in private employment. (U.S. DOL WHD, Table of Meal Period Requirements Under State Law (Montana not listed); Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Hours Worked; verified Sep 27, 2026)
- Rest breaks: No state paid rest break requirement for adult employees in private employment; if a break is provided, the time is work time. (U.S. DOL WHD, Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law, footnote 1; Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Hours Worked; verified Sep 27, 2026)
Every verified rule for the state, with the law cited: Montana employer rulebook.
Exempt salary threshold in 2027: Federal $684 a week ($35,568 a year); no higher state threshold found (U.S. DOL thresholds page; eCFR 29 CFR 541.600) Verified Oct 21, 2026
Each change with its official text: Montana rules.
Montana minimum wage rates: now, 2027 and next
| When | Who | Rate per hour | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| In force now | All covered employers | $10.85 | Source: Montana minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026); Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Wage and Hour FAQs |
| In force now | Small businesses not covered by the FLSA | $4.00 | Source: Montana minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026); Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Montana's Minimum Wage |
| From January 1, 2027 | Statewide | $11.20 | Sources: Montana DLI 2027 determination letter; Montana DLI state minimum wage page |
| Since July 24, 2009 | Federal minimum wage (FLSA) | $7.25 | Sources: U.S. DOL minimum wage page; 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo) |
How the next Montana rate is set
“Montana statute requires the minimum wage be adjusted annually based on changes in inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index all Urban Consumers (CPI-U) from August of the year in which the calculation is made and is rounded to the nearest $0.05. The Department is required to make this adjustment by September 30 of each year.” (§39-3-409 MCA; Montana DLI 2027 minimum wage determination letter)
2027 minimum wage: Montana and neighboring states
Each state links to its rulebook, and to its own 2027 minimum wage page where we have one. The same rows, for every state, are in the 2027 table by state.
| State | Minimum wage 2027 |
|---|---|
| Montana | $11.20 per hour from January 1, 2027 (Montana DLI 2027 determination letter) |
| Idaho | No increase scheduled in 2027: the federal $7.25 per hour (Idaho Code § 44-1502). Every 2027 rate: Idaho minimum wage 2027 |
| Wyoming | No 2027 change found in official sources yet |
| South Dakota | $12.30 per hour from January 1, 2027 (non-tipped employees) (South Dakota DLR minimum wage page). Every 2027 rate: South Dakota minimum wage 2027 |
| North Dakota | No 2027 change found in official sources yet |
How to act on it
Full-time pay at the 2027 rate (computed: hourly rate × 40 hours a week and × 2,080 hours a year, before taxes): $11.20 = $448.00 a week, $23,296 a year.
Questions about the Montana minimum wage in 2027
What is the Montana minimum wage in 2027?
Montana's statewide minimum wage: $11.20 per hour from January 1, 2027 (Montana DLI 2027 determination letter; Montana DLI state minimum wage page). Verified Nov 12, 2026.
What is the Montana exempt salary threshold in 2027?
Federal $684 a week ($35,568 a year); no higher state threshold found (U.S. DOL thresholds page; eCFR 29 CFR 541.600) Verified Oct 21, 2026
When does the 2027 Montana minimum wage take effect?
$11.20 per hour from January 1, 2027. (Montana DLI 2027 determination letter; Montana DLI state minimum wage page)
How does the Montana minimum wage compare with the federal minimum wage?
The federal minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, in force since July 24, 2009 (U.S. DOL minimum wage page; 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo)). Montana's 2027 rate, $11.20 per hour, is $3.95 an hour above it (computed).
Is the minimum wage going up in Montana in 2027?
Yes. Montana's minimum wage goes up to $11.20 per hour from January 1, 2027.
How is the next Montana minimum wage decided?
The official text is quoted under How the next Montana rate is set (Montana DLI determination letter).
What is the Montana minimum wage now?
Minimum wage today: $10.85 per hour (state $4.00 applies only to employers not covered by the FLSA with gross annual sales of $110,000 or less, and not to an employee individually covered by the FLSA) (Montana minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026); verified Sep 27, 2026).
Sources (16)
- Montana DLI 2027 determination letter
- Montana DLI state minimum wage page
- Montana minimum wage (U.S. DOL WHD, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated July 1, 2026)
- U.S. DOL thresholds page
- eCFR 29 CFR 541.600
- Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Wage and Hour FAQs
- Montana payday (U.S. DOL WHD, State Payday Requirements, footnote 13)
- Mont. Code Ann. 39-3-204(3)
- Mont. Code Ann. § 39-3-205(2)
- U.S. DOL WHD, Table of Meal Period Requirements Under State Law (Montana not listed)
- Montana Department of Labor & Industry, Hours Worked
- U.S. DOL WHD, Minimum Paid Rest Period Requirements Under State Law, footnote 1
- U.S. DOL minimum wage page
- 29 U.S.C. §206 (govinfo)
- Idaho Code § 44-1502
- South Dakota DLR minimum wage page
Checked Nov 12, 2026 · How we verify every rule · Report an error
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