The minimum wage in Butte is $10.55/hour in 2026. See how it compares to the MIT living wage of $18.00/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
Calculate annual, monthly, and weekly income at any hourly wage in Butte.
The minimum wage in Butte is the Montana statewide minimum of $10.55/hour. Butte 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 Butte. With average 1-bedroom rent near $800/month and a cost-of-living index of 80 (US average = 100), the gap between the minimum wage and a true living wage is significant.
| Benchmark (Butte, 2026) | Hourly | Annual (full-time) |
|---|---|---|
| Applicable minimum wage | $10.55 | $21,944 |
| MIT living wage (single adult) | $18.00 | $37,440 |
| MIT living wage (family of four, one earner) | $37.50 | $78,000 |
| Federal minimum wage | $7.25 | $15,080 |
| Average rent (1-bedroom, annual) | - | $9,600 |
Living wage figures: MIT Living Wage Calculator for Silver Bow County. Minimum wage reflects the rate applicable to most private employers in Butte.
Butte was once one of the richest mining cities in the world, built on copper, and today preserves a vast National Historic Landmark district while anchoring its economy on Montana Technological University, healthcare, and ongoing mining and environmental remediation.
| Local Metric | Butte (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|
| Metro population | 35,000 |
| County / jurisdiction | Silver Bow County |
| Cost of living index (US avg = 100) | 80 |
| MIT living wage, single adult | $18.00/hour |
| MIT living wage, one earner supporting a family of four | $37.50/hour |
| Applicable minimum wage | $10.55/hour |
| Average rent, 1-bedroom | $800/month |
| Average rent, 2-bedroom | $1,000/month |
| Median home price | $260,000 |
| Median household income | $50,000/year |
| Combined sales tax rate | 0% |
| Effective property tax rate | 0.9% 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.
The minimum wage in Butte is the Montana statewide minimum of $10.55/hour. Butte 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 Silver Bow County needs about $18.00/hour (roughly $37,440/year) to cover basic costs. That is $7.45/hour above the applicable minimum wage, and a one-earner family of four needs closer to $37.50/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 Butte is about $800/month, or $9,600/year.
Butte 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 Butte.