Last checked October 29, 2026.
The median Montana job paid $48,740 a year in May 2025. Helena and Bozeman pay the most at the median, about $55,000; Great Falls and the northwest pay the least, about $47,000.
Wages by area, all occupations
| Area | Median, May 2025 | Mean, May 2025 | Median, May 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Helena metro | $55,040 | $65,270 | $49,300 |
| Bozeman metro | $54,830 | $65,670 | $49,920 |
| Billings metro | $49,060 | $61,900 | $47,640 |
| Montana statewide | $48,740 | $60,880 | $47,360 |
| Missoula metro | $47,830 | $59,900 | $46,660 |
| Western Montana nonmetro (includes Kalispell) | $47,150 | $57,040 | $45,980 |
| Great Falls metro | $46,510 | $59,170 | $44,770 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, published by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry: May 2025 wage rates (published July 2026) and May 2024 wage rates. Kalispell has no separate wage area; it falls in the state’s western non-metro area (“West, balance of state”: Flathead, Lake, Lincoln, Ravalli and Sanders counties). The median is the middle wage; the mean is pulled up by high earners.
Wages vs. what it costs to live there
| Area | Median wage, May 2025 | Income needed, own 1-bedroom | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $54,830 | $60,325 | −$5,495 |
| Missoula | $47,830 | $49,760 | −$1,930 |
| Kalispell | $47,150 | $50,089 | −$2,939 |
| Great Falls | $46,510 | $47,457 | −$947 |
| Billings | $49,060 | $46,744 | +$2,316 |
| Helena | $55,040 | $51,222 | +$3,818 |
Income needed is our full-budget calculation for a single adult with a paid-off car, saving 10% (see the salary calculator). A median earner in Helena or Billings can cover their own 1-bedroom; in Bozeman, a median earner comes up about $5,500 short and most people share housing.