Nail Technicians Tips & Wages in Montana (2026)
Nail technicians and manicurists earn tips on nail services. Their cash wage and tip credit are governed by the state's standard tipped-employee schedule unless the state carves out a separate rate. In Montana, the tipped cash wage is $10.85/hr and the state requires the full $10.85/hr minimum to be paid in cash before tips.
By The TipFig Editorial Team · independent editorial research project
Nail Technicians Tipped-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 $4.00 cash wage.
These figures are the state-wide tipped-employee rates from the U.S. Department of Labor — Wage and Hour Division: Minimum Wages for Tipped Employees (July 1, 2026). Montana applies this uniform schedule to nail technicians — there is no separate occupation-specific cash wage.
Calculate a tip for nail technicians in Montana
Our calculator keeps your tip on the pre-tax subtotal (${law.name} has no general sales tax).
Tip Calculator for Nail Technicians in Montana
Enter your bill — Montana's 0% sales tax is applied automatically and your tip stays on the pre-tax subtotal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tipped wage for nail technicians in Montana in 2026?
In Montana, employers must pay tipped employees — including nail technicians — the full state minimum wage of $10.85/hour in cash before tips. The state prohibits the tip credit, so nail technicians keep 100% of their tips on top. (Source: U.S. Department of Labor, July 1, 2026.)
How much should I tip nail technicians in Montana?
The customary gratuity for nail technicians in Montana is 15–20% of the pre-tax bill. Tips are calculated on the subtotal, not on Montana's 0% combined sales tax.
Does Montana let employers take a tip credit for nail technicians?
No. Montana is one of seven U.S. states that ban the tip credit entirely, so employers must pay nail technicians the full $10.85/hr state minimum in cash.
Other Nail Technicians guides by state
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.