Idaho Minimum Wage 2026: $7.25 an Hour, Tips and Local Rules

Idaho's minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, set by Idaho Code 44-1502(1), and it equals the federal minimum wage under 29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)(C). The state statute says the amount shall conform to and track with the federal rate, and it sets no scheduled increase. Idaho cities cannot set a higher local minimum, so $7.25 is the figure for workers across the state.

Information last verified on September 28, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.

Jurisdiction scope: This page covers the Idaho Minimum Wage Law (Idaho Code Title 44, Chapter 15) and how it interacts with the federal FLSA. It does not cover overtime rules in detail, Idaho's wage payment law beyond a short pointer, or any other state.

What is the Idaho minimum wage?

Idaho Code 44-1502(1) provides that no employer shall pay an employee less than $7.25 per hour, and adds that the amount "shall conform to, and track with, the federal minimum wage." The dollar figure is fixed in the statute, not indexed to inflation, and it matches the federal rate in 29 U.S.C. 206(a)(1)(C).

The statute sets no scheduled increase, so nothing in Idaho's law steps the rate up on January 1, 2027. The federal wage changes only if Congress passes a bill and the President signs it (DOL Wage and Hour Division FAQ). Read the federal side on our federal minimum wage page.

Tipped workers in Idaho

Idaho allows a tip credit, but its floor for the cash wage is higher than the federal $2.13. Under Idaho Code 44-1502(2), the direct wage of a tipped employee may not be less than $3.35 per hour. If the direct wage plus tips does not equal the minimum wage, the employer must pay the difference.

The employer carries the burden of showing the tips actually received. Tips shared under a pooling arrangement are not counted as tips actually received for this purpose. The DOL tipped-employee table lists the same $3.35 cash wage and a $3.90 maximum credit for Idaho, which is the $7.25 rate minus $3.35. A tipped employee is one who customarily and regularly receives more than $30 a month in tips (Idaho Code 44-1503).

Lower rates for young workers and exclusions

An Idaho employer may pay an employee under age 20 not less than $4.25 per hour during the first 90 consecutive calendar days of initial employment, and may not displace other employees to hire at that wage (Idaho Code 44-1502(3)). The federal FLSA has a parallel youth wage in 29 U.S.C. 206(g).

Idaho Code 44-1504 excepts several groups from the state law, including bona fide executive, administrative and professional employees, domestic service, outside salespeople, seasonal employees of nonprofit camping programs, children under 16 working part time or at odd jobs up to four hours a day for one employer, employees under 18 employed by an immediate family member or the family's business, and certain agricultural workers. The act's definition of employer also leaves out federal, state and local government employers (44-1503), and the act allows lower wages for workers with disabilities under a federal special certificate (44-1505) and for licensed apprentices and learners (44-1506).

Can Idaho cities set a higher minimum wage?

No. Idaho Code 44-1502(4) states that no political subdivision, as defined in section 6-902, shall establish by ordinance or other action minimum wages higher than the state minimum. Boise and other Idaho cities therefore have no local minimum wage above $7.25.

How the federal minimum wage fits in

Idaho's rate equals the federal rate, so a covered worker's floor is $7.25 either way. Under 29 U.S.C. 218(a), the FLSA does not excuse compliance with any higher state or local minimum wage, and DOL says a worker covered by both laws gets the higher rate.

The FLSA covers employees of enterprises with at least $500,000 in annual sales or business done, and employees of smaller firms who are engaged in interstate commerce or production of goods for commerce (DOL FAQ; 29 U.S.C. 203(s)(1)(A)). It also covers employees of hospitals, schools and federal, state and local government agencies (DOL FAQ). Federal exemptions in 29 U.S.C. 213 differ from Idaho's list.

How to file a minimum wage complaint in Idaho

The Idaho Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Section enforces Idaho's minimum wage and wage payment laws, which are Title 44, Chapter 15 and Title 45, Chapter 6. Under Idaho Code 44-1508(2), a claim for unpaid minimum wages may be treated as a claim for wages due under Title 45, Chapter 6, and a court action must begin within two years after the cause of action accrued. The director may also sue to enjoin violations (44-1508(1)).

Idaho Code 44-1509 bars an employer from discharging or otherwise discriminating against an employee for complaining about wages, starting or being about to start a proceeding, or testifying or being about to testify.

A federal complaint is also available. DOL's Wage and Hour Division takes complaints at 1-866-487-9243, and under 29 U.S.C. 216(b) an employer who violates the federal minimum wage owes unpaid wages plus an equal amount as liquidated damages. A federal suit generally must start within two years, or three for a willful violation (29 U.S.C. 255(a)). For an unpaid final check, see Idaho final paycheck laws and our guide to unpaid wages.

Disclaimer: This page is general legal information, not legal advice. It covers the Idaho Minimum Wage Law and the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as verified on September 28, 2026. For a specific pay situation, consult a lawyer licensed in Idaho or the state labor agency.

Related pages

• Federal minimum wage rules
• Idaho final paycheck laws
• Idaho at-will employment laws
• Unpaid wages and how to claim them
• Overtime calculator

Last updated: September 28, 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum wage in Idaho in 2026?

$7.25 per hour under Idaho Code 44-1502(1), matching the federal minimum wage.

Will Idaho's minimum wage go up in 2027?

The statute sets no scheduled increase. It says the amount shall conform to and track with the federal wage, which changes only if Congress enacts a new rate.

What is the Idaho tipped minimum wage?

The direct wage of a tipped employee may not be less than $3.35 per hour, and tips plus that wage must at least equal $7.25 (Idaho Code 44-1502(2)).

Can a teenager be paid less than $7.25 in Idaho?

An employee under 20 may be paid not less than $4.25 per hour for the first 90 consecutive calendar days of initial employment, without displacing other workers (Idaho Code 44-1502(3)).

Does Boise have its own minimum wage?

No. Idaho Code 44-1502(4) bars cities and other political subdivisions from setting a higher minimum wage.

Where do I report an Idaho employer who pays less than the minimum wage?

The Idaho Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Section enforces the state minimum wage law. You can also call the U.S. Department of Labor at 1-866-487-9243.

How long do I have to bring an Idaho minimum wage claim in court?

Two years after the cause of action accrued under Idaho Code 44-1508(2). A federal FLSA suit generally has a two-year limit, or three for willful violations.