Montana Median
$89,340
per year
Hourly Rate
$42.95
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-28% vs US median
US median $124,720
State Rank
#32 of 40
90 employed here
How much does an Economist make in Montana?
An Economist working in Montana earns a median salary of $89,340 per year, or about $42.95 per hour. That is 28% below the national median of $124,720 for this occupation.
Within Montana, entry-level pay starts around $69,850 while the top 10% make $116,210 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $73,920 and $105,050 a year.
Economist salary range in Montana
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,850 | $33.58 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $73,920 | $35.54 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $89,340 | $42.95 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $105,050 | $50.50 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,210 | $55.87 |
|
How Montana compares
Montana ranks 32nd out of 40 states and territories for Economist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Economist salary in other states
District of Columbia $167,590New Jersey $167,550Delaware $159,120Maryland $144,680Kansas $138,790Virginia $137,590New York $136,660North Carolina $136,150Idaho $131,270Alabama $129,960Georgia $122,570Oregon $122,120Texas $121,420Colorado $121,410Ohio $120,000California $119,410Tennessee $117,650Missouri $117,010Pennsylvania $115,000Alaska $111,040Washington $109,300Massachusetts $106,380Michigan $106,350Minnesota $105,120Florida $102,430Connecticut $101,400Iowa $96,310Arkansas $91,560Maine $91,480Nevada $91,340Oklahoma $89,980New Hampshire $86,130Wisconsin $84,000Hawaii $83,050Indiana $80,750Arizona $79,610Nebraska $75,880Louisiana $73,050Kentucky $71,400
Working as an Economist in Montana
Nationally, about 18,000 people work as Economists in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare Montana pay ($89,340) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Economist make in Montana?
The median Economist salary in Montana is $89,340 per year, or about $42.95 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $69,850 at the entry level to $116,210 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Montana pay compare to the national average?
Montana pays Economists about 28% less than the national median of $124,720. Montana ranks 32nd out of 40 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Montana a good state for Economists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $89,340 a year. About 90 Economists are employed in Montana. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Montana?
The highest-paying occupations in Montana include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($560,820), Physician, All Other ($438,850), Radiologist ($360,330), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Economist salary report
Related salaries
$103,410
median pay · 172,000 employed
$101,110
median pay · 37,000 employed
$88,720
median pay · 13,000 employed
$87,220
median pay · 12,000 employed
$82,220
median pay · 89,000 employed
$90,150
median pay · 141,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.