As of 2026, Idaho's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Idaho has not enacted a state rate above the federal floor, and the figure is fixed in statute rather than adjusted for inflation each year. For tipped employees, Idaho permits a lower direct cash wage of $3.35 per hour, with the difference made up by a tip credit. Idaho law also blocks cities and counties from setting their own higher local minimum wage, so the $7.25 rate applies statewide. Because Idaho ties its minimum to the federal level, the state rate will only rise if the Idaho Legislature changes its statute or Congress raises the federal minimum.
Idaho's Minimum Wage Compared to the Federal Rate
The FLSA sets a national minimum wage of $7.25 per hour, a figure that has not changed since 2009. Many states have moved above that floor, but Idaho is one of the states that mirrors it exactly. Idaho's minimum wage law (Idaho Code Title 44, Chapter 15) establishes $7.25 per hour as the state minimum for covered, non-exempt employees.
This means an Idaho worker and a worker in a state with no minimum wage law of its own are generally entitled to the same baseline, because the higher of the applicable state or federal rate controls. Where a state rate sits above $7.25, that higher number governs; where Idaho's rate equals the federal floor, there is no practical difference. The key takeaway is that Idaho does not provide a wage cushion above the federal minimum, so the protections you have are essentially the FLSA protections.
Idaho's minimum wage is not indexed to inflation. Several states automatically increase their minimum each January based on the cost of living, but Idaho does not. Any increase in Idaho would require new legislation, so the $7.25 figure has remained stable for years and is expected to remain unless lawmakers act.
Tipped Employees and the Tip Credit
Idaho allows employers of tipped employees to pay a reduced direct cash wage and count a portion of the worker's tips toward the minimum wage obligation. As of 2026, the minimum cash wage for tipped employees in Idaho is $3.35 per hour. The employer may then claim a tip credit of up to $3.90 per hour, which is the gap between the $3.35 cash wage and the $7.25 full minimum.
The rules work like this:
The worker must actually earn enough in tips. If the cash wage plus tips does not reach $7.25 per hour in a given workweek, the employer must make up the difference so total compensation equals at least the full minimum wage.
A tipped employee is one who customarily and regularly receives tips. Idaho generally follows the federal standard, which treats an employee who regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips as a tipped employee.
Tips belong to the employee. Tips are the property of the worker who earns them, subject to valid tip-pooling arrangements among employees who customarily receive tips. Employers and managers generally may not keep employees' tips.
If an employer does not inform the worker of the tip-credit provisions or fails to ensure total pay reaches $7.25, the employer can lose the right to claim the tip credit and may owe the full minimum wage plus back pay.
The Training and Youth Wage
Idaho permits a lower training wage for new young workers. An employer may pay a wage of $4.25 per hour to employees who are under 20 years old, but only during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. This mirrors the federal youth minimum wage under the FLSA.
Important limits apply. The training wage is available only for the first 90 days, after which the worker must receive the full $7.25 minimum. Employers also may not displace existing workers, cut their hours, or terminate them in order to hire someone at the lower training wage. Once a worker turns 20, or once the 90-day window closes, the standard minimum wage applies.
Other Exemptions
Like the FLSA, Idaho's wage law contains exemptions. Categories that may fall outside the standard minimum wage include certain agricultural workers, some seasonal and recreational employees, outside salespeople, and individuals employed in a bona fide executive, administrative, or professional capacity. Independent contractors are not covered because they are not employees. Whether a particular job is exempt depends on the specific duties and pay structure, not just a job title, so workers who are unsure should verify their classification.
Overtime is governed primarily by the FLSA, which requires time-and-a-half pay for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek for non-exempt employees. Idaho does not impose a separate daily overtime requirement, so the federal weekly-40 standard is the controlling rule for most Idaho workers.
No Local Minimum Wage Ordinances
Idaho is a wage-preemption state. State law prohibits cities and counties from enacting their own minimum wage that differs from the statewide rate. This is unlike states such as Washington or Oregon, where individual cities can and do set higher local minimums. In Idaho, no municipality can require employers to pay more than $7.25 per hour as a local floor. That keeps the rate uniform across the entire state, from Boise to Coeur d'Alene to Idaho Falls.
This matters for both workers and employers. A worker cannot rely on a city ordinance to boost pay above the state rate, and a business operating in multiple Idaho cities does not have to track varying local wage rules.
How to Enforce Your Rights
If you believe you are being paid less than Idaho's minimum wage, or that your employer is mishandling the tip credit, you have options:
Keep records. Track your hours, your pay stubs, and your tips. Accurate personal records are powerful evidence if there is a dispute.
Raise it with the employer first when feasible. Some underpayments are payroll errors that can be corrected quickly.
File a wage claim. Idaho's wage-claim process lets workers seek unpaid wages owed to them. Claims for minimum-wage violations can also be pursued under federal law through the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.
Watch deadlines. Wage claims are subject to time limits, so do not wait. Acting promptly protects your ability to recover back pay.
Idaho law also protects employees from retaliation for asserting their wage rights. An employer generally may not fire or punish a worker simply for filing a good-faith wage complaint.
Where to Confirm the Current Rate
Because rates and tip-credit figures can change when the Legislature acts, always confirm the current numbers before relying on them. The official source for Idaho is the Idaho Department of Labor, which publishes the state minimum wage, the tipped cash wage, and the training wage, along with guidance for employers and workers. For the federal minimum wage, tip-credit rules, and overtime standards, consult the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division. When the state and federal rules differ, the rule more protective of the worker applies. Verifying directly with these agencies ensures you are acting on the most current figures rather than outdated information.
Official Idaho Sources
This page is based on Idaho employment law. Rules and figures change — verify the current details directly with the official Idaho sources below. This is general legal information, not legal advice.
Federal law and local ordinances may also apply. Federal laws like the Fair Labor Standards Act set a national floor, and your city or county may add protections (such as a higher local minimum wage or paid sick leave). Check both alongside Idaho state law.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum wage in Idaho in 2026?
As of 2026, Idaho's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, the same as the federal minimum. Idaho does not index its rate to inflation, so it changes only if state lawmakers or Congress act. Confirm the current figure with the Idaho Department of Labor.
How much do tipped workers earn in Idaho?
Idaho allows a direct cash wage of $3.35 per hour for tipped employees, with a tip credit of up to $3.90. If cash wages plus tips do not reach $7.25 per hour for the workweek, the employer must make up the difference.
Can Idaho cities set a higher minimum wage?
No. Idaho prohibits cities and counties from setting a local minimum wage different from the statewide rate. The $7.25 minimum applies uniformly across the entire state, so no Idaho municipality can require a higher local floor.
Is there a lower wage for new or young workers in Idaho?
Yes. Employers may pay a training wage of $4.25 per hour to employees under 20 years old, but only for the first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. After that, or once the worker turns 20, the full $7.25 minimum applies.
Does Idaho have its own overtime law?
Idaho does not have a separate daily overtime rule. Overtime is governed by the federal FLSA, which requires time-and-a-half pay for non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and may not reflect the most current law or the law in your jurisdiction. Laws vary by state and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
Knowing your rights is the first step
Join thousands committing to calmly and consistently exercise their constitutional rights.
