Minimum Wage FEDERAL RATE
Idaho's minimum wage tracks the federal rate under Idaho Code § 44-1502, and it currently sits at $7.25 per hour, unchanged since 2009. Idaho has no scheduled increases and no cost-of-living adjustment, so the rate only moves if Congress raises the federal floor or the Idaho legislature acts on its own. State law also prohibits Idaho cities and counties from setting a local minimum wage above the state rate, so $7.25 applies uniformly from Boise to Coeur d'Alene.
Tipped employees have a higher base wage in Idaho than under federal law: employers must pay at least $3.35 per hour in cash wages, with tips required to make up the rest to reach $7.25. New hires under age 20 may be paid a training wage of $4.25 per hour, but only for their first 90 consecutive calendar days of employment.
Overtime Laws 1.5X RATE
Idaho does not have its own overtime statute, so overtime follows the federal FLSA. Non-exempt employees earn one and a half times their regular rate for hours worked beyond 40 in a workweek, which puts the overtime rate at $10.88 at Idaho's minimum wage. There is no limit under Idaho or federal law on the number of hours an employer can require in a single workday, and no daily overtime trigger.
Being paid a salary does not automatically make you exempt. Exemptions require both a qualifying salary level and specific job duties, and many workers are misclassified as exempt when their actual day-to-day duties do not meet the legal standard.
Meal & Rest Breaks NO MANDATE
Idaho does not require employers to provide meal or rest breaks to adult employees. Whether you get a break during your shift is left to your employer's policy, not state law.
When an employer does choose to offer a break, federal rules still apply to how it is paid. Breaks of 20 minutes or less generally must be paid. Meal periods of 30 minutes or more may be unpaid, but only if the employee is completely relieved of duties and free to use the time as they wish.
Employee Misclassification COMMON VIOLATION
Some Idaho employers label workers as independent contractors or exempt employees to avoid paying overtime. What your job title says alone does not determine the legal classification. What matters is the actual working relationship and the day-to-day duties of the job.
Filing a Claim 2 YEARS WINDOW
Idaho workers have a two-year time limit to file claims for unpaid overtime and minimum wage violations under the FLSA. When an employer's violation was willful, meaning they knew about it or it was done on purpose, that limit extends to three years. Idaho's own wage claim statute, Idaho Code § 45-614, sets a similar two-year general deadline for wage claims filed with the state or in court.
Workers can file a wage claim with the Idaho Department of Labor, or bring a lawsuit directly in state or federal court.
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading this content does not create an attorney-client relationship with Josephson Dunlap LLP. Wage and hour laws vary by state, and the application of these laws depends on the specific facts of each situation. The figures and statistics cited above are current as of the date of publication and are subject to change. Prior results in other matters do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome in any future matter. If you believe your wages were not paid correctly, consult a qualified, licensed, employment attorney.
Think You May Be Owed Back Wages?
Josephson Dunlap reviews wage claims for Idaho workers at no cost. There is no fee unless wages are recovered. A case manager will go through your situation and tell you where you stand.