Payroll Cost per Employee in Montana
2026 estimates — total employer cost including taxes and benefits
Min wage in Montana: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate) | SUTA: ~2.3% on wages (varies)
Calculate Total Payroll Cost in Montana
Payroll Tax Breakdown — Montana 2026
| Tax / Cost | Rate / Rule | Annual Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Base salary | Per agreement | $50,600 |
| Social Security (employer) | 6.2% on first $168,600 | $3,137 |
| Medicare (employer) | 1.45% of all wages | $734 |
| FUTA (federal unemployment) | 0.6% on first $7,000 | $42 |
| Montana SUTA | ~2.3% on wages (varies) | $375 |
| Benefits (health, 401k, etc) | ~18% of salary (typical) | $9,108 |
| Total Employer Cost | $64,374 | |
Based on $50,600 median salary in Montana. SUTA rate shown is approximate average — actual rate depends on claims history. Additional: State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department.
Payroll Requirements in Montana
1. Montana Payroll Tax & Compliance Overview
Montana payroll costs are below the national average. Key employer requirements: state income tax withholding (Low or none), state unemployment insurance (SUTA: ~2.3% on wages (varies)), plus the standard federal obligations (FICA 7.65%, FUTA up to $420/employee). State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department.
2. Top Tips for Montana Employers
Montana employers: use payroll software like Gusto, QuickBooks Payroll, or Rippling to automate state-specific tax calculations. These typically cost $40–$150/month for small businesses — far less than the penalty risk of manual payroll errors. Set up pay-as-you-go workers' comp tied to each payroll run to eliminate audit surprises.
3. Key Montana Payroll Facts
- Minimum wage: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate)
- State income tax: Low or none
- State unemployment (SUTA): ~2.3% on wages (varies)
- Additional: State-specific payroll taxes — verify with your state labor department
Run Montana Payroll Automatically
Automated payroll software handles Montana tax calculations, filings, and W-2s for $40–$150/month.
Montana Payroll Summary
- →Avg salary: $50,600/yr
- →Total cost: $64,374/yr
- →Overhead rate: ~27% above salary
- →Min wage: $7.25–$15.00/hr (check current state rate)
- →State income tax: Low or none