Idaho . Wage & Hour . Updated April 2026

Idaho allows a $4.25 training wage for new hires under 20.

Idaho employers may pay a reduced training wage of $4.25 per hour to workers under 20 years of age for their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment. This provision is designed to encourage youth employment and skill development. After 90 days, or upon the worker's 20th birthday (whichever comes first), the full state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour must be paid.

Training Wage Rate
$4.25/hour
Applicable Age
Under 20 years old
Duration
First 90 days
Active

ID training wage $4.25 for under-20 (first 90 days)

Employers may pay a reduced wage to eligible young workers for a limited period.

Compliance Check
Prohibition
Always running

What those rules do as a Idaho shift is created.

Teambridge automatically applies the Idaho training wage provisions, ensuring your payroll remains compliant without manual intervention. Here's how it works at the moment of shift creation and throughout the employment lifecycle.

Age & Hire Date Verification

When a new employee is onboarded in Teambridge, their date of birth and hire date are cross-referenced. If the employee is under 20, the system flags them as potentially eligible for the training wage. The 90-day training wage period begins automatically from their hire date.

Automatic Rate Adjustment

For eligible employees, Teambridge automatically sets the hourly pay rate to $4.25 for all shifts scheduled within their first 90 calendar days of employment. On the 91st day, or upon the employee's 20th birthday (whichever is earlier), the system automatically adjusts their pay rate to the Idaho state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour for all subsequent shifts.

Displacement Prevention

Idaho law prohibits displacing existing workers to hire individuals at the training wage. Teambridge does not directly manage staffing decisions, but it provides clear wage cost projections that help managers make informed hiring choices, reducing the risk of non-compliance related to displacement.

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The rule, plainly stated

Idaho allows a temporary training wage for young workers.

Idaho Code § 44-1502(3) outlines specific conditions under which employers can pay a sub-minimum wage rate to certain employees. This provision is intended to promote entry-level employment and reduce barriers for young individuals entering the workforce.

Idaho Code § 44-1502(3) — Minimum Wage

An employer may pay an employee who is less than twenty (20) years of age wages at a rate of not less than four dollars twenty-five cents ($4.25) per hour during the first ninety (90) consecutive calendar days after such employee is initially employed by the employer. No employer may take any action to displace employees, including partial displacements such as reducing hours, wages, or employment benefits, for purposes of hiring individuals at the wage authorized in this subsection.

Eligibility and Duration

The training wage of $4.25 per hour is specifically applicable to employees who are under twenty (20) years of age. This reduced rate can only be paid during the first ninety (90) consecutive calendar days of employment with a particular employer. Once an employee reaches their 20th birthday, or completes their 90th day of employment (whichever occurs first), their wage must be increased to the standard state minimum wage of $7.25 per hour.

Prohibition Against Displacement

A critical component of this statute is the explicit prohibition against displacing existing employees. Employers are forbidden from reducing the hours, wages, or employment benefits of current staff in order to hire new employees at the training wage. This ensures that the training wage provision is used to create new employment opportunities rather than to undermine the compensation of the current workforce.

On autopilot

Teambridge ensures Idaho's training wage is applied precisely.

Navigating the nuances of temporary wage rates like Idaho's training wage can be complex. Teambridge automates the entire process, from eligibility checks to rate adjustments, ensuring continuous compliance and preventing costly errors.

01 . Onboarding

Automatic Age & Hire Date Capture

During employee onboarding, Teambridge securely records the employee's date of birth and hire date. This data forms the basis for automatically determining eligibility for the training wage.

02 . Schedule & Pay

Dynamic Wage Rate Application

For eligible employees, Teambridge automatically applies the $4.25/hour training wage to all shifts within the first 90 calendar days. No manual tracking or adjustments are needed.

03 . Transition

Seamless Rate Escalation

On the 91st day of employment or the employee's 20th birthday (whichever comes first), Teambridge automatically updates the employee's pay rate to the full $7.25/hour state minimum wage for all future shifts.

04 . Audit Trail

Transparent Compliance Records

All wage rate changes and the reasons for them are meticulously logged within Teambridge, providing an unalterable audit trail for compliance verification and peace of mind during inspections.

FAQ

People also ask.

What is the purpose of Idaho's training wage?
The Idaho training wage is designed to encourage employers to hire and train young workers (under 20) by allowing a temporary reduced wage. This helps new entrants to the workforce gain experience and skills.
Who is eligible for the Idaho training wage?
Employees who are less than twenty (20) years of age are eligible. The training wage can be paid during their first ninety (90) consecutive calendar days of employment with a specific employer.
When does an employee's wage increase from the training wage?
An employee's wage must increase to the full Idaho state minimum wage ($7.25/hour) on the earlier of two events: either after the completion of their 90th consecutive calendar day of employment, or upon their 20th birthday.
Can an employer pay the training wage to displace existing workers?
No. Idaho Code § 44-1502(3) explicitly prohibits employers from taking any action to displace existing employees, including reducing hours, wages, or employment benefits, for the purpose of hiring individuals at the training wage.
Does the training wage apply to all employers in Idaho?
The Idaho training wage provision applies to all employers covered by the Idaho Minimum Wage Law. This generally includes businesses with employees working in Idaho, subject to standard exemptions.
What is the current Idaho state minimum wage?
As of 2026, the Idaho state minimum wage is $7.25 per hour, which automatically tracks the federal minimum wage under Idaho Code § 44-1502.