Average and median wage in Montana
Half of the 511,580 workers in Montana earn less than $48,740 a year, the median wage, while the average pay is $60,880, or $29.27 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% make $29,390 or less and the top 10% $100,610 or more. The average is 13% less than the U.S. average ($69,770) and the median 4% less than the U.S. median ($50,980).
- $29K10th
- $37K25th
- $49KMedian
- $73K75th
- $101K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Montana per year | Per hour* | U.S. per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $60,880 | $29.27 | $69,770 |
| Median | $48,740 | $23.43 | $50,980 |
| 10th percentile | $29,390 | $14.13 | $31,200 |
| 25th percentile | $37,210 | $17.89 | $37,590 |
| 75th percentile | $72,640 | $34.92 | $80,520 |
| 90th percentile | $100,610 | $48.37 | $128,560 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Statewide figures include every employer in the state, metro and rural. Median vs. average salary · reading percentiles.
Average salary by city in Montana
- Bozeman$65,670
- Helena$65,270
- Billings$61,900
- Missoula$59,900
- Great Falls$59,170
Map of Montana metro areas
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Salary, take-home pay and cost of living by city
| City | Average | Median | Take-home* | Cost of living | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $65,670 | $54,830 | $52,596 | 103 | $705,739 |
| Helena | $65,270 | $55,040 | $52,282 | 96 | $477,996 |
| Billings | $61,900 | $49,060 | $49,764 | 94 | $410,666 |
| Missoula | $59,900 | $47,830 | $48,251 | 96 | $580,429 |
| Great Falls | $59,170 | $46,510 | $47,699 | 97 | $344,945 |
*Average salary after federal and state income tax and payroll taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Highest-paying jobs in Montana
- Family Medicine Physicians · Great Falls$378,060
- Family Medicine Physicians · Helena$357,260
- Family Medicine Physicians · Bozeman$346,720
- Physicians, All Other · Helena$325,750
- Physicians, All Other · Missoula$318,500
- Family Medicine Physicians · Missoula$285,790
- Chief Executives · Billings$284,420
- Family Medicine Physicians · Billings$273,400
- General Internal Medicine Physicians · Missoula$272,570
- Chief Executives · Bozeman$241,920
Most common jobs in Montana
| Job | Jobs statewide | Average | Median | Highest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 14,960 | $30,120 | $29,090 | $33,050 |
| Retail Salespersons | 13,490 | $38,170 | $36,270 | $41,480 |
| Cashiers | 12,170 | $33,420 | $34,190 | $38,680 |
| General and Operations Managers | 11,840 | $107,490 | $91,380 | $117,020 |
| Registered Nurses | 10,950 | $91,510 | $85,280 | $99,570 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 10,400 | $36,770 | $36,630 | $41,060 |
| Office Clerks, General | 10,390 | $48,420 | $46,480 | $52,940 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 8,900 | $40,240 | $39,050 | $44,740 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 8,320 | $38,670 | $37,110 | $42,860 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 7,830 | $59,180 | $58,870 | $63,760 |
Jobs, average and median: BLS statewide estimates. Highest city average: best-paid metro area we cover in the state.
Average salary by job family in Montana
Montana income tax and take-home pay
Take-home figures on these pages apply Montana's 2026 income tax rules for a single filer with the standard deduction, plus federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security and Medicare.
Montana at a glance
Average salary in other states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
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- Minnesota
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- Missouri
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- Puerto Rico
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- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- Washington, D.C.
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Salary in Montana: questions
What is the average salary in Montana?
$60,880 a year across all jobs, according to BLS statewide estimates (OEWS, May 2025). That is 13% less than the U.S. average ($69,770).
What is the median salary in Montana?
$48,740 a year: half of Montana workers earn more and half earn less. The median is lower than the average because a minority of high earners lifts the average.
What is the average hourly wage in Montana?
$29.27 an hour on average, and $23.43 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
Which city in Montana pays the most?
Bozeman, with an average of $65,670 a year among the metro areas we cover.
Is Montana expensive to live in?
BEA puts Montana prices 5% below the U.S. average (price parity 94.6). Within the state, Bozeman 103, Great Falls 97, Missoula 96 are the most expensive metros.
Sources and how to read this page
- Statewide figures: BLS OEWS state estimates, May 2025, all occupations and every employer in the state (metro and rural areas).
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. City figures: the metro areas we cover in Montana.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crimes reported by agencies statewide, latest 12 months available.
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