Unpaid Wage Cases in Montana
In Montana, the typical back pay per worker was $387, based on 330 cases from the U.S. Department of Labor. That is 33% less than the national figure of $576, the 45th highest of 51 states.
- $387typical (median)
- $1,324average
- 330cases
- 45thof 51 states
What the Records Show for Montana
Each public source on its own, with the typical amount, the middle half of all cases and the trend by year.
U.S. Department of Labor, per worker · 1999–2025
$387typical back pay per worker (median). Half of all cases were between $125 and $1,066.
- Cases
- 330
- Total paid
- $437,084
- Top 10% above
- $3,175
- All states
- $576
Typical amount by year 2023: $3,515 typical, 6 cases
$2K$4K$6KTap or drag across the chart to read a year. Years with at least 5 cases.
The same federal wage cases, counted per worker: each case's back wages divided by the number of workers owed.
U.S. Department of Labor · 1999–2025
$2,836typical back pay per case (median). Half of all cases were between $750 and $8,952.
- Cases
- 330
- Total paid
- $5.5 million
- Top 10% above
- $23,892
- All states
- $4,412
Typical amount by year 2023: $13,340 typical, 6 cases
$10K$20K$30KTap or drag across the chart to read a year. Years with at least 5 cases.
Back wages employers were found to owe their workers in federal wage-and-hour cases, per case.
These are cases the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division concluded, with the back wages it found employers owed. Cases handled only by a state labor agency or in a private lawsuit are not included.
In total, $437,084 was recorded across 330 cases. One in ten was $3,175 or more.
Back Pay in Montana by Industry
The industry the Department of Labor recorded for the employer, with the most cases first.
| Industry | Typical in Montana | All states |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and hotels85 cases | $149 | $414 |
| Health care and social assistance59 cases | $196 | $415 |
| Construction58 cases | $738 | $800 |
| Retail21 cases | $408 | $575 |
| Transportation and warehousing18 cases | $1,139 | $913 |
| Agriculture17 cases | $761 | $303 |
| Staffing, cleaning and other support services16 cases | $343 | $561 |
| Repair, personal and other services9 cases | $311 | $661 |
| Mining, oil and gas7 cases | $1,493 | $1,076 |
| Manufacturing6 cases | $1,265 | $779 |
8 more groups have too few cases in Montana for a typical amount or fewer cases than those shown.
How Montana Compares With Other States
Typical amount in every state from the same source. Across all states: $576.
- under $412
- $412–$457
- $457–$543
- $543–$743
- $743 and up
- 1District of Columbia$1,524
- 2New Jersey$1,115
- 3California$1,021
- 4Maryland$937
- 5Alaska$914
- 43Iowa$400
- 44Nebraska$399
- 45Montana$387
- 46Arkansas$383
- 47Kentucky$352
- 48Maine$344
- 49North Dakota$336
- 50South Dakota$305
- 51West Virginia$278
All 51 states, ranked
- 1District of Columbia$1,524
- 2New Jersey$1,115
- 3California$1,021
- 4Maryland$937
- 5Alaska$914
- 6New York$904
- 7Massachusetts$855
- 8Hawaii$812
- 9Oregon$802
- 10Illinois$771
- 11Nevada$743
- 12Washington$741
- 13Arizona$702
- 14Virginia$701
- 15Delaware$694
- 16Connecticut$633
- 17Rhode Island$621
- 18Minnesota$590
- 19South Carolina$571
- 20Tennessee$566
- 21Texas$543
- 22Georgia$529
- 23Florida$527
- 24North Carolina$520
- 25Utah$514
- 26Ohio$505
- 27Wisconsin$501
- 28Michigan$500
- 29Indiana$467
- 30Idaho$464
- 31New Hampshire$457
- 32Colorado$451
- 33Oklahoma$450
- 34Kansas$444
- 35Mississippi$440
- 36Vermont$437
- 37Louisiana$429
- 38Pennsylvania$428
- 39Missouri$422
- 40Alabama$420
- 41New Mexico$412
- 42Wyoming$407
- 43Iowa$400
- 44Nebraska$399
- 45Montana$387
- 46Arkansas$383
- 47Kentucky$352
- 48Maine$344
- 49North Dakota$336
- 50South Dakota$305
- 51West Virginia$278
About These Numbers
Where the figures come from, how we counted, and how to use them.
- U.S. Department of Labor, per worker: The same federal wage cases, counted per worker: each case's back wages divided by the number of workers owed.
- U.S. Department of Labor: Back wages employers were found to owe their workers in federal wage-and-hour cases, per case.
- Typical is the median: half of the records are below it, half above. The average is the total divided by the number of records; a few very large amounts pull it up.
- Not adjusted for inflation. Each amount is counted in the year the source gives for it.
How the explorer counts, source by source
Download the full data set (CSV)
Public records as of October 15, 2026. You can use these figures; please link to this page. $387 is rounded on the map; the tables show exact amounts.
Questions About Unpaid Wage Cases in Montana
Answers from the same records.
How much back pay do workers get in Montana wage cases?
In 330 federal wage cases in Montana from 1999 to 2025, the typical worker was owed $387 in back pay. For half of all cases, the amount per worker was between $125 and $1,066. Per case, for all workers of one employer together, the typical amount was $2,836.
Which industries have the most wage cases in Montana?
Restaurants and hotels (85, typical $149); Health care and social assistance (59, typical $196); Construction (58, typical $738). The industry is the one the agency recorded for the employer.
How does Montana compare with other states?
Montana ranks 45th highest of 51 states for the typical amount. Across all states it was $576, so Montana is 33% lower.
Have amounts in Montana changed over time?
In 2023, the typical amount was $3,515 (6 cases), compared with $337 in 2013. Amounts are not adjusted for inflation.
What is not included in these numbers?
These are cases the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division concluded, with the back wages it found employers owed. Cases handled only by a state labor agency or in a private lawsuit are not included.
More Records for Montana
Other kinds of cases in this state, a calculator for your own case, and the studies behind the numbers.