How Much Does It Cost to Hire an Employee in Montana? (2026)

State-specific payroll taxes, workers' comp, and total employer costs in Montana.

Total Cost at $60K Salary

$66,168

Cost multiplier: 1.1x

SUTA Rate (Mid)

1.6%

Wage base: $40,500

Workers' Comp Rate

1.48%

Has state income tax

Montana Employer Tax Details

State-specific payroll obligations for employers

SUTA Rate Range 0.13% – 6.3%
SUTA New Employer Rate (typical) 1.6%
SUTA Wage Base $40,500
Workers' Compensation (avg) 1.48% of payroll
State Income Tax Yes

Example Employer Costs in Montana

Mandatory employer taxes only (no benefits or overhead)

Component $40,000 Salary $60,000 Salary $80,000 Salary
Social Security (6.2%) $2,480 $3,720 $4,960
Medicare (1.45%) $580 $870 $1,160
FUTA $42 $42 $42
SUTA (MT) $640 $648 $648
Workers' Comp $592 $888 $1,184
Total Employer Taxes $4,334 $6,168 $7,994
Total Cost (salary + taxes) $44,334 (1.11x) $66,168 (1.1x) $87,994 (1.1x)

These estimates include mandatory employer payroll taxes only. Add benefits ($7K-$17K) and overhead (~10% of salary) for full cost.

How Montana Compares

Montana's typical SUTA rate of 1.6% is below the national average of ~1.70%. However, with a wage base of $40,500, which is well above the federal minimum of $7,000, the effective SUTA cost per employee can be significant.

Workers' compensation at 1.48% of payroll is above the national average of ~1.20%.

Calculate Your Exact Employee Cost

Use our interactive calculator with your specific salary, state, and benefits to get an exact number.

Open Employee Cost Calculator

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