Average Salaries in Montana
Explore salaries across 617 occupations in Montana. The average median wage across all tracked occupations is $60.7K, -1.4% vs the national average. See the highest-paying roles, where the jobs are, and how local wages compare to the rest of the country.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2024 estimates. Coverage: 617 occupations and 501,120 total jobs in Montana.
How the state compares
Wages in Montana track close to the national average. Pay for most occupations here is similar to what workers earn nationally.
Montana has a smaller labor market. Some occupations may have limited local demand or a narrower range of employers.
The highest-paid occupation tracked here is Dentists, All Other Specialists. Drill into any occupation below to see its local pay distribution, employment, and how it compares to the national market.
Top-paying and largest occupations in Montana
Two different lenses on the local labor market: which occupations pay the most, and which employ the most workers. The highest-paid list tends to favor specialized professional and technical roles. The largest list reflects where the everyday jobs actually are.
Top wages
Highest-paid occupations in Montana
| Occupation | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | $235.4K | 40 |
| Chief Executives | $194.5K | 630 |
| Dentists, General | $159.5K | 480 |
| Computer Hardware Engineers | $141.7K | 50 |
| Pharmacists | $137.2K | 1,330 |
| Sales Engineers | $134.9K | 40 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $133.6K | 1,050 |
| Physician Assistants | $133.0K | 610 |
| Marketing Managers | $132.2K | 510 |
| Purchasing Managers | $129.0K | 210 |
Most jobs
Largest occupations in Montana
| Occupation | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food And Counter Workers | 15,940 | $29.3K |
| Retail Salespersons | 13,500 | $35.0K |
| Cashiers | 12,500 | $30.6K |
| Office Clerks, General | 11,350 | $44.1K |
| General And Operations Managers | 11,090 | $85.2K |
| Registered Nurses | 10,540 | $81.6K |
| Janitors And Cleaners, Except Maids And Housekeeping Cleaners | 9,200 | $37.4K |
| Stockers And Order Fillers | 8,880 | $38.5K |
| Cooks, Restaurant | 8,170 | $36.8K |
| Home Health And Personal Care Aides | 8,010 | $33.2K |
What Montana specializes in
The location quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is here compared to the national average. A value above 1.00 means the occupation is more common in Montana than in the country as a whole, which signals what this state is known for.
Location quotient
Most concentrated occupations in Montana
| Occupation | Location quotient | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Forest And Conservation Technicians | 18.85 | $54.3K |
| Forestry And Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary | 15.81 | $100.3K |
| Gambling Service Workers, All Other | 9.65 | $23.4K |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | 9.16 | $46.0K |
| Locomotive Engineers | 9.13 | $81.2K |
| First-Line Supervisors Of Gambling Services Workers | 9.10 | $33.5K |
| Hydrologists | 8.96 | $80.7K |
| Manufactured Building And Mobile Home Installers | 8.62 | $46.2K |
| Foresters | 8.24 | $64.2K |
| Directors, Religious Activities And Education | 7.32 | $38.8K |
Peer markets
Comparable states
| State | Average median | Highest-paid occupation |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $86.2K | Obstetricians And Gynecologists |
| California | $77.6K | Chief Executives |
| Washington | $77.0K | Podiatrists |
| New York | $76.7K | Physicians, All Other |
| Massachusetts | $75.6K | Dentists, All Other Specialists |
| New Jersey | $73.7K | Physicians, All Other |
| Alaska | $73.0K | Dentists, General |
| Connecticut | $72.7K | Nurse Anesthetists |
Metros inside Montana
Salaries can vary a lot within a single state. Urban metro areas typically pay more than rural regions, and specific industries cluster in particular cities. Drill into any metro below for its own full salary breakdown.
Inside this state
Major metros in Montana
| Metro | Average median | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | $61.3K | 86,710 |
| Bozeman, MT | $63.1K | 63,230 |
| Missoula, MT | $59.1K | 60,450 |
| Helena, MT | $61.6K | 37,360 |
| Great Falls, MT | $56.4K | 31,430 |
Common salary questions for Montana
What does "average median" mean? +
It is the average of all occupation-level medians in this area. It gives a rough sense of the overall wage level here compared to other states or metros, but it is not the same as a household income figure or a single blended salary.
What is a location quotient? +
A location quotient (LQ) compares how concentrated an occupation is in this area versus the national average. An LQ of 2.0 means the occupation is twice as concentrated here as it is nationally. High-LQ occupations are what this area specializes in.
How are comparable areas selected? +
Peer areas are other states with a similar overall wage level and employment size. They give you a quick sense of how this area ranks among places with a comparable labor market.