Montana Minimum Wage & Labor Laws (2026)
In 2026, the Montana minimum wage is $10.85/hour. Overtime is 1.5× the regular rate over 40 hours a week. Below are the wage, overtime, final-paycheck and break rules, a calculator pre-set to Montana, and how to file a wage claim if you're owed money.
- Overtime
- 1.5x the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek. Montana follows the federal FLSA weekly rule.
- Tipped pay
- $10.85/hr in full. No tip credit: tipped staff must be paid the full minimum in cash, with tips on top.
- Final paycheck
- Fired: Immediately (within 4 hrs or end of business day, whichever is first). Quit: Next payday or within 15 days, whichever is earlier.
- Meal & rest breaks
- Meal: No state requirement (follows federal; none mandated). Rest: No state requirement (none mandated).
Montana pay & overtime calculator
Pre-set to Montana. Enter your rate and hours.
Your hours
Your pay this week
OT $30.00/hrMontana follows the FLSA weekly rule: 1.5× the regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek.
Montana figures are current for 2026 and compiled from the U.S. Department of Labor and Montana's labor department. Cities and counties may set higher local minimums, and industry rules vary, so confirm with your state labor department before relying on this for payroll or a legal decision.
Next change: minimum wage $11.20 on January 1, 2027
Businesses over $110,000 in gross sales or FLSA-covered. Official source. Get a reminder before it starts.
How to file a wage claim in Montana
To recover unpaid wages in Montana, file with Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry. Federal law lets you claim up to 2 years of back pay (3 if the violation was willful), plus an equal amount in liquidated damages.
- Agency
- Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry
- Federal window
- 2 years of back pay, or 3 if the violation was willful, plus equal liquidated damages.
- Montana adds
- Montana adds a penalty of up to 110% of the wages due.
Step by step
- 1Gather your records
Collect pay stubs, time records, schedules and any texts about hours. In Montana, your own honest records can carry a claim if the employer's are missing.
- 2Work out what you're owed
The back-pay estimator adds up the unpaid wages and how far back you can recover them.
- 3Send a written demand
Many disputes settle after a dated letter that states the amount owed and the deadline you're giving the employer to pay.
- 4File with Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry
If the employer doesn't pay, file a wage claim with the agency below. Filing is free and you don't need a lawyer.
- 5Mind the deadline
Federal claims must be filed within 2 years (3 if willful). Your state may set a shorter deadline for its own process, so don't wait.
Montana wage claim questions
Who do I file an unpaid-wage claim with in Montana?
Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry. You can also file a federal complaint with the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. You can also sue in court, often with an employment attorney.
How far back can I recover unpaid wages in Montana?
Federal law (FLSA) allows 2 years of back pay, or 3 years for a willful violation, plus an equal amount in liquidated damages. Montana adds a penalty of up to 110% of the wages due.
Can my employer retaliate for filing a wage claim in Montana?
No. Federal and state law prohibit firing, demoting or punishing you for asserting your right to be paid. Retaliation is a separate violation you can also claim.