What is a Fair Amount for Montana’s Minimum Wage?

Montana’s minimum wage is adjusted from year to year based on increases in the cost-of-living. In January of 2013, the minimum wage will jump up $.15 from $7.65 to $7.80 because the cost of consumer goods went up over the last year (measured from August 2011 to August 2012).

Unlike most states, Montana’s Minimum wage is tied to the cost-of-living because of Initiative 151, which passed back in 2006.  Because of Initiative 151 Montana has one of the highest minimum wage rates in the nation. Currently, the federal minimum wage is locked at $7.25 per hour.

A little more than 20,300 Montanans received the minimum wage in 2012, which equates to roughly 7% of the population. A majority of minimum wage recipients work in the accommodations and food services industries.

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