Bozeman Minimum Wage 2026

The minimum wage in Bozeman is $10.55/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $22.50/hour and local cost of living.

Last updated: May 2026 · Data: MIT Living Wage Calculator, C2ER, U.S. Census, BLS, IRS, state and city sources

Minimum Wage Income Calculator

Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Bozeman.

Minimum Wage vs. Living Wage in Bozeman

The minimum wage in Bozeman is the Montana statewide minimum of $10.55/hour. Bozeman does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Montana statewide minimum of $10.55/hour applies; Montana indexes the rate to inflation each January. The bigger question for most workers is how that compares to what it actually costs to live in Bozeman. With average 1-bedroom rent near $1,700/month and a cost-of-living index of 124 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.

Benchmark (Bozeman, 2026)HourlyAnnual (full-time)
Applicable minimum wage$10.55$21,944
MIT living wage (single adult)$22.50$46,800
MIT living wage (family of four, one earner)$45.00$93,600
Federal minimum wage$7.25$15,080
Average rent (1-bedroom, annual)-$20,400

Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Gallatin County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Bozeman.

Bozeman Cost-of-Living Snapshot (2026)

Bozeman is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, a gateway to Yellowstone anchored by Montana State University, with a booming economy in technology, outdoor-recreation manufacturing, tourism, and healthcare, and some of the highest home prices in the Mountain West.

Local MetricBozeman (2026 estimate)
Metro population57,000
County / jurisdictionGallatin County
Cost of living index (US avg = 100)124
MIT living wage, single adult$22.50/hour
MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four$45.00/hour
Applicable minimum wage$10.55/hour
Average rent, 1-bedroom$1,700/month
Average rent, 2-bedroom$2,100/month
Median home price$650,000
Median household income$70,000/year
Combined sales tax rate0%
Effective property tax rate0.8% of value/year

Local figures are 2026 estimates compiled from the MIT Living Wage Calculator, the C2ER Cost of Living Index, U.S. Census and Zillow housing data, and city and county sources. Verify current figures before relying on them.

Frequently Asked Questions

The minimum wage in Bozeman is the Montana statewide minimum of $10.55/hour. Bozeman does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Montana statewide minimum of $10.55/hour applies; Montana indexes the rate to inflation each January. A full-time worker (40 hours/week, 52 weeks) earns about $21,944 per year gross before taxes at that rate.

Not for a single adult. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult in Gallatin County needs about $22.50/hour (roughly $46,800/year) to cover basic costs. That is $11.95/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $45.00/hour.

At $10.55/hour, full-time work (2,080 hours/year) produces about $21,944 gross. Part-time at 30 hours/week is roughly $16,458/year. Average 1-bedroom rent in Bozeman is about $1,700/month, or $20,400/year.

Bozeman does not set a separate city minimum wage, so the Montana statewide minimum of $10.55/hour applies; Montana indexes the rate to inflation each January.

The federal minimum wage is $7.25/hour and has not changed since 2009. Montana has set a state minimum wage of $10.55/hour, indexed to inflation and above the federal floor, and that rate applies in Bozeman.

Disclaimer: This tool is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, tax, legal, or professional advice. Data is sourced from IRS publications, Bureau of Labor Statistics, and official state sources as of May 2026. Always consult a qualified licensed professional before making financial or legal decisions.