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The Montana minimum wage is set to increase in the coming years based on inflation and the Consumer Price Index. If you’re a business owner in Big Sky Country, it’s important to keep up with increases in the minimum wage, especially as it relates to changes in pay.
So we’ve created this guide, just for you, to get better acquainted with the minimum wage in Montana.
What is the minimum wage in Montana?
The Montana minimum wage will increase to $10.30 per hour on January 1, 2024, which is $3.05 higher than the federal minimum wage rate of $7.25 per hour.
There are some additional minimum wage regulations to note:
- Businesses that aren’t covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, with gross annual sales of $110,000 or less, can pay their employees $4.00 an hour. However, individual employees who produce and move goods between states, or are covered by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act, “must be paid the greater of either the federal minimum wage or Montana’s minimum wage.”
- Federal contractor employees must be paid a minimum wage of $17.20, effective January 1, 2024.
Will the minimum wage change beyond 2024?
Montana residents voted in 2006 to adjust the rate for inflation each year. Because of this, the minimum wage rate in Montana could increase each year, depending on inflation.
Montana state lawmakers continue to review new bills aimed to increase the minimum wage at a faster rate than the currently set annual increases based on the Consumer Price Index.
How should small business owners prepare for changes to the minimum wage?
Figure out expenses: Yes, it can be scary to see the minimum wage rate climb 20 cents in one year. But the best way to tackle this news is to figure out how much the increase is going to cost your business. Analyze your cash flow — everything from revenue and profit to expenses. That’ll help you make a hiring plan so you’ll know how many people you can have on staff without losing money.
Evaluate your hiring practices: The hiring process can be costly. And your team can make or break your business. Make sure you are getting the right people in the door. Cast a wide net when looking for new additions, and once they join, make employee retention a top priority.
Automate where you can: How much time are you spending tackling tasks manually? Automating time-consuming tasks like payroll allows you to save time and money. Using small business payroll software can also help you avoid common payroll mistakes. You’ll get more time back to spend growing your business instead of being buried in the books. Square Payroll is simple and easy to use, and with a little time, you can learn how to do payroll yourself, helping you save on staffing costs.
Whether you are navigating Montana minimum wage changes or just need some business resources to help you thrive, Square is here to help.
