Tipping & Tip Laws in Montana (2026)
Montana requires employers to pay tipped employees the full $10.85/hr state minimum wage — no tip credit. Tipped workers keep 100% of their tips on top. Like the rest of the U.S., Montana follows national tipping norms — tip on the pre-tax subtotal, not the 0% combined sales tax.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · independent editorial research project
Tipped Minimum-Wage Law in Montana
Full State Min
$10.85/hr
Tipped Cash Wage
$10.85/hr
Max Tip Credit
$0.00/hr
Tip Credit?
No (full wage)
Applies to businesses with annual gross sales over $110,000; smaller non-FLSA-covered businesses may pay a $4.00 cash wage.
Standard Tip Percentages in Montana
Restaurants
15–20%
Delivery
15–20%
Rideshare
15–20%
Bars
$1–2/drink
Hotel
$2–5/night
Salon/Spa
15–20%
These percentages are general U.S. etiquette norms. In Montana, tipped workers already earn the full state minimum wage, yet 15–20% remains the customary gratuity because tips supplement take-home pay.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tipped minimum wage in Montana in 2026?
As of July 1, 2026, Montana requires employers to pay tipped employees the full state minimum wage of $10.85/hour in cash before tips. The state does not allow a tip credit, so tipped workers keep 100% of their tips on top of that wage. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor.)
Does Montana allow a tip credit?
Montana is one of seven U.S. states (Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Washington) that prohibit the tip credit entirely. Employers must pay the full state minimum wage in cash, and tips are additional income the worker keeps.
What is the sales tax rate in Montana for tipping math?
Montana has no general state sales tax, so there is no tax to add when you calculate a tip. You simply tip on the bill subtotal.
Other State Tipping Guides
Tipped minimum-wage figures are from the U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026), retrieved 2026-08-09. Minimum wages change; verify with your state labor department before making wage or payroll decisions. Tip percentages are general etiquette guidelines, not legal advice. Sales-tax rates are approximate combined state + local averages.