Montana Paycheck Calculator
On a $60,000 salary in Montana, a single filer takes home about $1,859.07 every two weeks ($48,336 a year) after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Montana income tax. Montana tax follows the state's own 2026 withholding booklet; enter your own pay below for your exact paycheck. Below the calculator: Montana rules on minimum wage, overtime, paydays, your final paycheck and wage claims, each from an official source.
Compare two scenarios
- A (saved)
- B (the form now)
| A | B | B vs A |
|---|
An estimate of what your employer withholds, using the IRS percentage method. Your actual paycheck can differ by a few cents because of rounding, or by more if your employer uses other settings.
How we got your number
Each step links to the official document it comes from.
Guides: how to read your pay stub · filling out Form W-4 · biweekly vs semi-monthly pay · why pay rises after the Social Security cap · how much tax is taken out, by state · who gets overtime · 1099 vs W-2 pay
Montana paycheck rates for 2026
Every rate links to the official source and shows when we last checked it. Our Montana tax is checked against the worked examples in Montana's own withholding guide on every build: see how we verify.
| What comes out | 2026 rate | Official source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| Federal income tax | 10%–37% brackets (IRS percentage method) | IRS Publication 15-T (2026) | Oct 24, 2026 |
| Social Security | 6.2% up to $184,500 | SSA COLA fact sheet | Oct 24, 2026 |
| Medicare | 1.45%, plus 0.9% over $200,000 | IRS Publication 15 | Oct 24, 2026 |
| Montana income tax | 4.7% and 5.65% of pay above a threshold for your MW-4 status, rounded to the dollar | Montana Department of Revenue, Employer and Information Agent Guide with Tax Tables (V4, Nov 2025) | Oct 24, 2026 |
What changed in 2026
Montana
- Top rate cut from 5.9% to 5.65%. Source
- New method: Montana allowances are gone; withholding now uses the federal standard deduction for your filing status, with a new Form MW-4. Source
Federal, for everyone
- Social Security wage base rose from $176,100 to $184,500. Source
- New 2026 federal withholding tables reflect the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which made the lower tax rates and larger standard deduction permanent. Source
- Form W-4 for 2026: Step 4(b) now covers the new deductions for qualified tips, overtime, car loan interest and people 65 and older, and there is a new checkbox to claim exemption. Source
- Form W-4 Step 3 counts $2,200 for each child under 17. Source
Take-home pay in Montana at common salaries (2026)
On a $70,000 salary in Montana, you take home about $2,133.66 every two weeks, or $4,622.93 a month, after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Montana income tax.
| Salary | Every two weeks | Per month | Per year | Withheld |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $985.96 | $2,136.25 | $25,634.96 | 14.6% |
| $40,000 | $1,277.00 | $2,766.83 | $33,202.00 | 17.0% |
| $50,000 | $1,568.05 | $3,397.44 | $40,769.30 | 18.5% |
| $60,000 | $1,859.07 | $4,027.99 | $48,335.82 | 19.4% |
| $70,000 | $2,133.66 | $4,622.93 | $55,475.16 | 20.7% |
| $80,000 | $2,382.22 | $5,161.48 | $61,937.72 | 22.6% |
| $90,000 | $2,631.81 | $5,702.26 | $68,427.06 | 24.0% |
| $100,000 | $2,880.38 | $6,240.82 | $74,889.88 | 25.1% |
| $125,000 | $3,500.36 | $7,584.11 | $91,009.36 | 27.2% |
| $150,000 | $4,102.58 | $8,888.92 | $106,667.08 | 28.9% |
Assumes a single filer paid every two weeks with a 2026 Form W-4 and no adjustments, no 401(k) or health deductions, and the rules in force on Oct 26, 2026. Monthly and yearly figures are the paycheck times 26, divided by 12 for monthly. Enter your own pay above for your exact numbers.
What workers earn in Montana
The typical (median) worker in Montana earns $23.43 an hour, or about $48,730 a year full time, across all 511,580 jobs in the state (BLS, May 2025). At that pay a single filer takes home about $1,530.79 every two weeks, after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Montana income tax. Source
| Pay level | Yearly pay | Take-home every two weeks | Take-home a year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $29,390 | $968.11 | $25,170.86 |
| 25th percentile | $37,210 | $1,195.78 | $31,090.28 |
| Median (typical worker) | $48,730 | $1,530.79 | $39,800.54 |
| 75th percentile | $72,630 | $2,198.81 | $57,169.06 |
| 90th percentile | $100,610 | $2,895.89 | $75,293.14 |
Pay for common jobs in Montana
| Job | Median yearly pay in Montana | Take-home every two weeks | Jobs in Montana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail Salesperson | $36,280 | $1,169.04 | 13,490 |
| Cashier | $34,200 | $1,107.76 | 12,170 |
| Registered Nurse | $85,280 | $2,514.10 | 10,950 |
| Home Health Aide | $36,630 | $1,178.85 | 10,400 |
| Truck Driver | $58,860 | $1,825.84 | 7,830 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $57,530 | $1,786.74 | 4,960 |
| Customer Service Representative | $45,280 | $1,430.17 | 4,910 |
| Accountant | $75,820 | $2,278.13 | 4,730 |
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Montana: hourly pay for all jobs, times 2,080 hours, rounded to the nearest $10. The jobs are those on our salary by job pages with the most workers in Montana. Take-home: single filer paid every two weeks, 2026 Form W-4, no deductions, rules in force on Oct 26, 2026, worked out with the same engine as the calculator.
Paycheck rules in Montana
What Montana law says about how much, how and when you are paid. Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026.
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Montana's minimum wage is $10.85 an hour and rises to $11.20 on January 1, 2027. Small businesses not covered by federal law with $110,000 or less in yearly sales may pay $4.00, but workers covered by federal law get the higher rate. | Montana DLI, Montana's Minimum Wage |
| Tipped workers | Montana does not allow a tip credit, meal credit or training wage. Tipped workers must be paid the full state minimum wage, with tips on top. | Montana DLI, Montana's Minimum Wage |
| Overtime | Unless your job is exempt, you must be paid 1.5 times your regular hourly rate for all hours over 40 in a week. Montana has no daily overtime rule. | Montana DLI, Overtime |
| How often you get paid | You must be paid within 10 business days after the end of each pay period. If your employer has not set a pay period, it is presumed to be twice a month. | Montana DLI, Wage and Hour FAQ |
| Final paycheck | If you are laid off or fired, all wages are due immediately unless a written company policy allows until the next payday or 15 days. If you quit, pay is due on the next payday or within 15 days, whichever is first. | Montana DLI, Wage Payment Act |
| Pay stub | Your employer must give you an itemized pay statement each time you are paid, showing all deductions for the pay period, even if nothing was deducted. | Montana DLI, Wage and Hour FAQ |
| Deductions from pay | Deductions are allowed only when required by law, such as taxes, or for room, board and other incidentals provided for you. Your employer cannot make you pay for shortages, damages or mistakes. | Montana DLI, Wage Payment Act |
| Unpaid wage claims | File a wage claim with the Montana DLI Labor Standards Bureau using the electronic wage claim, or get a paper form at a Job Service office or by emailing dlierdwage@mt.gov. You may instead go to district court. | Montana DLI, Filing a Wage Claim |
| Direct deposit and pay cards | Your employer cannot make you take direct deposit; you must agree. A pay card is allowed only if you consent, can get your full wages in cash with no fee on the first withdrawal, and can choose a check instead. | Montana DLI, Electronic Payments |
More on pay at the minimum: Montana minimum wage, with weekly, monthly and yearly pay, take-home pay and the next increase.
What changes in 2027
- Social Security applies to the first $192,300 you earn in 2027 (up from $184,500). SSA
- New federal withholding tables: the IRS has not published them yet. We add them within days of release; until then, 2027 pay dates use the 2026 tables.
- Montana has not yet published 2027 withholding tables.
Montana changelog
Every version of the Montana rules this calculator has used, with the date it takes effect, the official source it comes from and when we checked it. The pay date you enter picks the version in force on that day.
| Effective | Status | What the calculator uses | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1, 2027 | Waiting for the official publication | Montana has not yet published 2027 withholding tables. | Will be checked against the new edition of Montana Department of Revenue, Employer and Information Agent Guide with Tax Tables (V4, Nov 2025) |
| Jan 1, 2026 | Verified Oct 24, 2026 (in use today) | Montana income tax: 4.7% and 5.65% of pay above a threshold for your MW-4 status, rounded to the dollar | Montana Department of Revenue, Employer and Information Agent Guide with Tax Tables (V4, Nov 2025) |
Site updates for Montana
- Oct 25, 2026: Clearer answers on state, city and bonus pages
- Oct 24, 2026: Added Montana, North Dakota, Hawaii, Maine, Rhode Island, West Virginia, Delaware and Vermont: all 50 states covered
Montana paycheck questions
How much Montana income tax comes out of my paycheck?
Montana withholds 4.7% of pay above a threshold for your MW-4 status and 5.65% on higher pay, rounded to the dollar. There are no allowances. Show the math lists every step.
Why does the calculator ask about Form MW-4?
Your employer withholds Montana tax based on the Form MW-4 you filled in, which is separate from your federal Form W-4. If you never filled one in, employers usually withhold as single with no allowances.
What will Montana's minimum wage be in 2027?
Montana's minimum wage rises from $10.85 to $11.20 an hour on January 1, 2027. Montana does not allow a tip credit, so tipped workers get the full rate plus tips.
When do I get my final paycheck in Montana?
If you are laid off or fired, wages are due immediately, unless your employer has a written policy allowing until the next payday or 15 days. If you quit, wages are due by the next payday or within 15 days, whichever comes first.
Can my Montana employer take money out of my check for a cash shortage?
No. Montana's Wage Payment Act says wages cannot be withheld for shortages, damages or mistakes. Deductions are allowed only when required by law or for room, board and other incidentals furnished by the employer.
How do I file an unpaid wage claim in Montana?
File with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry using its electronic wage claim. Paper forms are available at Job Service offices or by emailing dlierdwage@mt.gov. Have your employer details, wage records and how you calculated what you are owed.
Does Montana require overtime after 8 hours a day?
No. Montana overtime is based on the workweek: non-exempt employees get 1.5 times their regular hourly rate for all hours worked over 40 in a week.
Why is my first paycheck in January different?
New federal withholding tables and a new Social Security cap start on January 1. Pick a 2027 pay date in the calculator to see the change.
Why did my paycheck get bigger late in the year?
Social Security stops once your pay for the year reaches $184,500. Enter your pay so far this year to see when that happens.
How much is $70,000 a year after taxes in Montana?
About $55,475.16 a year, or $2,133.66 every two weeks, for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions in 2026. That is after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and Montana income tax. Use the calculator for your own filing status and deductions.
What is the average salary in Montana?
The median (typical) worker in Montana earns $23.43 an hour, about $48,730 a year full time, and the mean (average) is $29.27 an hour, about $60,880 a year (BLS, May 2025). The median is lower because a few high earners pull the average up. At the median, take-home pay is about $1,530.79 every two weeks for a single filer.