The Idaho Labor Law Guide

Minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate that employers are legally obligated to pay employees. The federal minimum wage is a wage baseline, but different states, cities, and regions can adopt their own rates. 

$7.25 for most employees (as of 2024)

As of 2024, Idaho follows the federal minimum wage, therefore, local cities do not set their own higher rates. 

→ Find out how Deputy can help you simplify meal and rest break compliance

Tipped minimum wage is the lowest hourly pay rate employers are legally obligated to pay employees who earn a significant portion of their income through tips. 

$3.35 per hour for most tipped employees (as of 2024)

Idaho does not have its own state overtime laws. Employers must follow the federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), which requires non-exempt employees to receive paid time and a half for every hour worked over 40 hours within a workweek.

Idaho wage and hour laws do not have any laws requiring an employer to provide a meal or rest break to employees. 

The federal rule does not require an employer to provide meal or rest breaks, nor does it give employees the right to take short breaks. However, if an employer does provide breaks, they must follow federal requirements:

• Breaks under 20 minutes: Must be paid at the employee’s normal rate.

• Breaks over 30 minutes: Can be unpaid if the employee is relieved of all duties.

→ Find out how Deputy can help you simplify meal and rest break compliance

Vacation leave
Idaho does not require employers to provide their employees paid or unpaid time off. The employer can choose to offer vacation leave at their discretion. 

Paid Sick Leave
Idaho does not require employers to provide their employees paid or unpaid sick leave. 

Holidays
Idaho state law prohibits employers from providing paid or unpaid holiday leave.

→ Learn more about Deputy's leave management software

Different child labor laws in Idaho depend on the minor’s age. Minors under 14 years of age are generally prohibited from working unless it’s jobs like delivering newspapers or working in family businesses. 

Minors under 14 years old may not work:

• During school hours when school is in session, except if the minor:

  • is a student and is employed by and attends the public school;

  • works at most 10 hours per week;

  • voluntarily agreed to the employment; and

  • has consent from the minor's legal guardian.

• Before 6:00 AM

• After 9:00 PM

Laws for minors 14-15:

• Can work up to 3 hours per day and 18 hours per week during school weeks. Hours are limited to 7 AM-7 PM. During summer vacation, hours can go up to 9 PM.

• Can work up to 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week during non-school weeks. 

Laws for minors 16-17:

• Idaho law does not specify whether minors who are 16 or 17 years of age are limited in the hours in which they may work. 

Idaho labor laws don’t have any mandate breaks for minors, however, federal law states that minors need to receive a 30-minute break when working more than 5 hours consecutively.

Hiring
Idaho follows federal anti-discrimination laws that prohibit unfair hiring practices based on:

• Race

• Color

• National Origin

• Sex

• Disability

• Religion

In addition, the Idaho Human Rights Act has state-specific protections based on:

• Age

• Gender

• Sexual orientation

Idaho employers can perform background checks that comply with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and conduct drug testing as part of the hiring process. 

Firing
Idaho employers have the right to terminate employees at will for nearly any reason and no reason at all provided the reason is not unlawful. However, they cannot fire an employee for public policy reasons.