Montana Paycheck Calculator
Estimate Montana take-home pay including federal, state, and FICA taxes, applying pre-tax deductions across common pay schedules accurately today for.
Montana Income Tax Rate
Montana taxes wages using state brackets that were streamlined recently, lowering the top marginal rate. Employers begin with gross pay, subtract pre-tax benefits (traditional 401(k), Section 125 health premiums, HSA/FSA), then apply federal withholding, FICA, and Montana withholding based on your MT elections and pay frequency. Supplemental wages (bonuses/commissions) may be handled using standard or aggregate methods. Montana does not add a separate municipal wage tax layer, so your primary income-tax components are federal and state. The table below lists the top individual rate by year so you can see how reforms may have influenced historical take-home pay; your effective rate is typically lower than the top bracket.
| Year | Top Rate |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 6.90% |
| 2017 | 6.90% |
| 2018 | 6.90% |
| 2019 | 6.90% |
| 2020 | 6.90% |
| 2021 | 6.90% |
| 2022 | 6.75% |
| 2023 | 6.75% |
| 2024 | 5.90% |
| 2025 | 5.90% |
Montana Median Household Income
Montana’s median household income has climbed over the past decade, driven by growth in healthcare, construction, professional services, outdoor recreation, and technology. Pandemic-era volatility slowed but did not stop gains; tight labor markets and population inflows into Bozeman, Missoula, and the Flathead Valley lifted wages. The figures below are nominal, directional benchmarks for budgeting and offer comparisons. For purchasing power, review “real” (inflation-adjusted) dollars and factor in local housing, transportation, childcare, and healthcare costs. Keep in mind that rural counties may lag urban centers, and household size plus employer benefits meaningfully affect how far a given salary goes across Montana communities.
| Year | Income |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $51,200 |
| 2017 | $53,700 |
| 2018 | $55,900 |
| 2019 | $57,800 |
| 2020 | $60,100 |
| 2021 | $63,300 |
| 2022 | $66,200 |
| 2023 | $69,400 |
| 2024 | $71,200 |
| 2025 | $72,600 (prelim.) |
Montana Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA)
FICA funds Social Security and Medicare and applies to Montana employees like everywhere in the U.S. Workers pay 6.2% Social Security on wages up to the federal wage base (matched by employers) and 1.45% Medicare on all wages (also matched). High earners owe an additional 0.9% Medicare surtax above federal thresholds; employers do not match this surtax. Section 125 health premiums typically reduce both income-tax and FICA wages; traditional 401(k) contributions reduce income-tax wages but not FICA. Your pay stub will usually itemize Social Security, Medicare, federal income tax, and Montana income tax separately, helping you confirm accurate withholding and year-to-date totals each period.
Montana Number of Cities with Local Income Taxes
Montana does not levy municipal wage income taxes. Paychecks usually include federal withholding, FICA, and statewide Montana income tax only; some local fees may exist but not percent-of-wages taxes.
| Locality | Resident Rate | Nonresident Rate |
|---|---|---|
| All Montana cities/counties | None | None |
How Your Montana Paycheck Works
Your paycheck starts with gross wages. Payroll subtracts pre-tax benefits—traditional 401(k), HSA/FSA, commuter benefits, and pre-tax insurance—to reach taxable wages. Withholding then includes federal income tax (W-4), Social Security and Medicare (FICA), and Montana state income tax using your Montana withholding elections and pay frequency. Because there is no city wage tax, layers are simpler than in many states. Post-tax items—Roth 401(k), garnishments, union dues, charitable gifts—are taken after taxes and do not reduce taxable wages. Pay schedule (weekly, biweekly, semimonthly, monthly) changes per-check cash flow but not annual tax; always review stubs after life events or benefit updates.
Montana Wage and Hour Laws: Overtime, Pay Frequency
Overtime: Montana follows the FLSA standard—most non-exempt employees earn 1.5× their regular rate for hours worked over
40 in a workweek; white-collar exemptions apply where duties and salary thresholds are met.
Pay frequency: Employers must establish a regular payday and pay on consistent intervals; biweekly or semimonthly schedules are common.
Final-pay timing and itemized wage-statement rules apply under state and federal law—consult employer policy and any contract terms for specifics.
FAQs
How do I use the Montana Paycheck Calculator?
Enter gross pay, pay schedule, Montana withholding details, pre-tax benefits, and post-tax deductions to estimate federal, FICA, and state withholding.
What are Montana’s current income tax brackets?
Montana’s brackets were simplified with a lower top rate; see the 10-year table. Your effective rate depends on income and credits.
Do any Montana cities have a wage income tax?
No. Municipalities do not levy percent-of-wages income taxes; your paycheck reflects federal, FICA, and state withholding only.
How do pre-tax 401(k) and HSA contributions affect take-home pay?
They reduce taxable wages for income tax, boosting net pay. 401(k) doesn’t cut FICA wages; many health premiums do.
Are bonuses taxed differently in Montana?
State withholding follows Montana tables; federally, employers may use percentage or aggregate methods for supplemental wages like bonuses.
Why did my Montana withholding change this year?
Rate updates, form changes, benefit elections, marital status, or supplemental pay can shift per-check withholding even at the same salary.
What is shown on a Montana pay stub?
Typically federal tax, Social Security, Medicare, Montana income tax, pre-tax deductions, post-tax deductions, year-to-date totals, and net pay.
What is Montana’s minimum wage policy?
Montana sets a statewide minimum wage by statute and indexation; employers must pay at least the current effective rate.