Idaho Minimum Wage 2026
Last updated: · Source: Idaho Department of Labor
Idaho · Minimum Wage 2026
Effective 2009-07-24
Data last verified: 2026-07-09
Tipped Rate
$3.35/hr
Tip Credit
$3.90/hr
Exempt Salary
$684/wk
Effective Date
2009-07-24
Idaho Wage Calculator
Current Idaho Minimum Wage
The minimum wage in Idaho is $7.25 per hour in 2026, effective 2009-07-24. Idaho follows the federal minimum wage set by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which has remained at $7.25/hr since 2009. See the federal minimum wage page for how the FLSA floor applies nationwide.
Under the Fair Labor Standards Act, employers must pay the highest minimum wage that legally applies to a work location, whether set federally, by the state, or by a city or county ordinance.
Idaho Tipped Minimum Wage
In Idaho, tipped employees may be paid a direct cash wage of $3.35/hr. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $3.90/hr, but the employee's total hourly earnings (direct wages + tips) must equal at least the full minimum wage of $7.25/hr. If tips fall short, the employer must make up the difference.
| Component | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Direct cash wage | $3.35/hr | Minimum employer must pay directly |
| Tip credit | $3.90/hr | Maximum credit employer may claim |
| Total required | $7.25/hr | Wages + tips must reach this floor |
Idaho Exempt Employee Salary Threshold (2026)
An "exempt" employee is a salaried worker who, by law, isn't entitled to overtime pay (time-and-a-half) for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. Whether a salaried employee actually qualifies as exempt depends on both their pay and their job duties. Idaho follows the federal FLSA salary threshold. To qualify for the white-collar (executive, administrative, or professional) overtime exemption, salaried employees must earn at least $684/week ($35,568/year) in 2026.
City & County Minimum Wages in Idaho
Idaho Code § 44-1502 provides that the state minimum wage tracks the federal rate and prohibits cities and counties from enacting their own higher minimum wage ordinances.
| City / County | 2026 Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boise | $7.25/hr (state rate) | Follows Idaho state/federal rate; local ordinances are preempted. |
| Meridian | $7.25/hr (state rate) | Follows Idaho state/federal rate; local ordinances are preempted. |
| Nampa | $7.25/hr (state rate) | Follows Idaho state/federal rate; local ordinances are preempted. |
| Idaho Falls | $7.25/hr (state rate) | Follows Idaho state/federal rate; local ordinances are preempted. |
Idaho Minimum Wage History
The following table shows minimum wage rates in Idaho over the past several years.
| Year | Minimum Wage | Effective Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | $7.25/hr | 2009-07-24 |
Frequently Asked Questions
The minimum wage in Idaho is $7.25 per hour in 2026, effective 2009-07-24. Tipped employees may be paid $3.35 per hour provided tips bring total earnings to at least $7.25/hr.
Idaho's minimum wage remains tied to the federal rate of $7.25/hr in 2026; House Bill 485, which proposed raising it to $15.00/hr by mid-2026, was not enacted.
In Idaho, tipped employees must be paid at least $3.35 per hour directly. Employers may claim a tip credit of up to $3.90/hr, but total compensation including tips must reach $7.25/hr.
Idaho follows the federal FLSA salary threshold. Salaried exempt employees must earn at least $684/week ($35,568/year) to qualify for the white-collar overtime exemption in 2026.
Idaho Code § 44-1502 provides that the state minimum wage tracks the federal rate and prohibits cities and counties from enacting their own higher minimum wage ordinances.