Average salary in Montana 

Montana's average salaries and highest paying counties provide a good idea of the earning potential in the state. But which cities and counties offer the highest average salaries?

Average salary in Montana by city

City living in Montana can also be more expensive than living in rural areas, but the average salaries can vary significantly by location. Montana's largest cities like Billings and Missoula offer higher salaries compared to smaller towns like Sidney and Libby. 

Average earnings by city—or any other geographical metric—is just one way of calculating wealth, and certainly shouldn’t be the only way you look at your own earning potential in a given place. It doesn’t take into account the type of jobs that people do to earn above or below this average bracket, and omits any consideration for the number of people living in a household. However, it’s certainly one way of establishing which place offers good earning opportunities. 

According to the US Census Bureau's latest American Community Survey, here are the average earnings for some of the largest cities in Montana:  

Average salary in Montana by county

Reviewing average salaries in Montana by city is not necessarily an adequate metric for average salaries across the state, since it’s entirely urban focused. A good idea is to weigh these figures up against the average salary in Montana by county, as this will take areas outside the main cities into account and offer a broader idea of salary ranges.  

The same survey from the US Census Bureau gives further insight this way, with the average household income calculated for each county, the largest of which you can find below:  

Highest paying jobs in Montana

There’s another weighty factor that will influence how much you earn if you live in Montana: your job type. Average salaries for various sectors and job roles can vary massively across the state, so it’s absolutely something to consider when looking at salaries by location.  

Zippia has calculated a comprehensive list of annual salaries by job title. You can also find the top 10 highest-paying titles in Montana below.  

Frequently asked questions about salaries in Montana

What is the average salary in Montana by age? 

Similarly to California, age is also a factor that affects salaries in Montana, with more senior workers generally earning higher salaries. The median income for householders under 25 is $32,475; for those aged 25 to 44, it is $60,025; for those aged 45 to 64, it is $66,054; and for those 65 and older, it is $42,007. 

What is a 'good' salary in Montana? 

The median household income in Montana is $59,948. However, defining a "good" salary is subjective and depends on factors such as location, occupation, and lifestyle. For example, a salary of $80,000 may be considered "good" in some areas of Montana, but in more expensive cities like Bozeman or Missoula, it may not be sufficient. 

What is the average salary in Montana by hour? 

Based on an average of 1,801 hours worked per year, the average hourly salary in Montana is approximately $26.99. However, this can vary widely depending on the industry and occupation. 

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