Idaho's Minimum Wage: $7.25 and Federally Tied with Local Preemption
Idaho's minimum wage is set at the federal floor of $7.25 per hour, directly tracking any future changes to the federal rate. Notably, Idaho Code § 44-1502(4) explicitly prohibits local jurisdictions from enacting higher minimum wages, consolidating wage policy at the state and federal levels. Specific provisions exist for tipped employees and a training wage for new hires under 20.
Idaho Minimum Wage Policy
Governs minimum hourly pay, tipped wage, training wage, and prohibits local wage laws.
What those rules do as an Idaho shift is created.
Teambridge's compliance engine automatically applies Idaho's minimum wage standards, ensuring every shift record respects the current state and federal thresholds, including specific calculations for tipped roles and eligible training periods. Local wage ordinances are disregarded due to state preemption.
Preempts Local Wage Ordinances
Any local minimum wage ordinances (e.g., city or county specific rates) are automatically ignored, ensuring all Idaho employees are paid according to the state-mandated federal minimum or higher, if company policy dictates.
Applies Federal Minimum Wage
For all non-exempt employees, the base minimum wage is set at $7.25/hour, automatically tracking any future increases to the federal minimum wage as per Idaho Code § 44-1502.
Calculates Tipped Wage Compliance
For employees receiving tips, Teambridge ensures their cash wage is at least $3.35/hour, allowing for a maximum tip credit of $3.90/hour, provided their combined cash wage and tips meet the $7.25/hour minimum.
Deploy Idaho compliance for your business.
Stop worrying about keeping up with every Idaho labor law. Teambridge handles it, so you can focus on your business.
Idaho minimum wage tracks federal with strong local preemption.
Idaho's minimum wage policy is designed for simplicity and consistency, directly mirroring federal standards and explicitly preventing local jurisdictions from setting their own rates. This creates a uniform wage floor across the entire state.
Idaho Code § 44-1502: Minimum Wage
"(1) Every employer shall pay to each of his employees wages at a rate of not less than the federal minimum wage, as prescribed by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, 29 U.S.C. section 206(a)(1), as amended."
"(4) No political subdivision of the state of Idaho shall establish, mandate, or otherwise require a minimum wage that exceeds the minimum wage established in subsection (1) of this section."
Standard Minimum Wage and Federal Tracking
Idaho law mandates that the state's minimum wage directly aligns with the federal minimum wage. This means that as of 2026, the standard minimum wage in Idaho is $7.25 per hour. Should the U.S. Congress amend the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to increase the federal minimum wage, Idaho's minimum wage automatically adjusts to that new federal rate without requiring separate state legislative action. This provision ensures a consistent and predictable wage floor for most non-exempt employees throughout Idaho.
Tipped Wages, Training Wage, and Local Preemption
For employees who regularly receive tips, Idaho law permits employers to pay a lower cash wage of $3.35 per hour, provided the employee's combined cash wage and tips equal or exceed the standard $7.25 minimum wage. A maximum tip credit of $3.90 per hour can be applied. Additionally, a training wage of $4.25 per hour is allowed for employees under 20 years of age during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. Critically, Idaho Code § 44-1502(4) establishes strong statewide preemption, explicitly prohibiting cities, counties, or other political subdivisions from enacting their own minimum wage laws that are higher than the state-mandated federal rate. This legislative measure ensures that Idaho maintains a single, uniform minimum wage policy across all its jurisdictions.
Teambridge ensures Idaho's wage compliance without manual oversight.
From initial shift scheduling to payroll processing, Teambridge integrates Idaho's specific minimum wage rules, guaranteeing accurate compensation and adherence to state law, even as federal rates evolve.
Automatic Wage Floor Validation
When a shift is created for an Idaho employee, Teambridge automatically validates the scheduled pay rate against the current $7.25/hour minimum, flagging any non-compliant entries before they can become an issue.
Dynamic Tip Credit Application
For roles designated as tipped, the system tracks reported tips and applies the maximum allowable tip credit of $3.90, ensuring the cash wage plus tips always meets the $7.25 minimum, in line with ID Code § 44-1502.
90-Day Training Wage Enforcement
For eligible employees under 20, Teambridge automatically applies the $4.25/hour training wage for their first 90 days, then seamlessly transitions them to the standard minimum wage upon expiration of the training period.
Future-Proof Federal Tracking
Our system is designed to automatically incorporate any future changes to the federal minimum wage, ensuring Idaho's auto-tracking provision means your compliance remains current without any manual updates from your team.
People also ask.
What is the current minimum wage in Idaho?
As of 2026, the current minimum wage in Idaho is $7.25 per hour. This rate directly tracks the federal minimum wage, meaning it will change if and when the federal rate is updated.
Can cities or counties in Idaho set their own minimum wage?
No. Idaho Code § 44-1502(4) explicitly preempts local jurisdictions from establishing a minimum wage that exceeds the state-mandated federal rate. This means no city or county in Idaho can set a higher minimum wage than $7.25 per hour.
What is the minimum wage for tipped employees in Idaho?
For employees who regularly receive tips, employers in Idaho can pay a cash wage of not less than $3.35 per hour. Employers can take a tip credit of up to $3.90 per hour, provided the employee's combined cash wage and tips equal or exceed the standard $7.25 minimum wage.
Is there a training wage in Idaho?
Yes, Idaho law allows for a training wage of $4.25 per hour for employees under 20 years of age during their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. After this period, or if the employee is 20 or older, they must be paid the standard minimum wage.
Does Idaho have its own overtime laws?
No, Idaho does not have a separate state statute governing overtime pay. Overtime requirements for Idaho employees are dictated solely by the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which generally mandates time and a half for hours worked over 40 in a workweek for non-exempt employees.
How often does Idaho's minimum wage change?
Idaho's minimum wage rate directly tracks the federal minimum wage. Therefore, it changes only when the U.S. Congress amends the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) to increase the federal minimum wage. There is no independent state review or adjustment schedule.