BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Economists in Montana

$97,330 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$46.79 per hour

▼ 31.5% below U.S. average32nd of 40 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$97,330per year
Median$89,340per year
Hourly$46.79per hour
10th – 90th percentile$69,850 – $116,210per year

Economists Pay Range in Montana

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$69,850
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$73,920
  • 50th Percentile — Median$89,340
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$105,050
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$116,210

Half of Economists in Montana earn more than $89,340. The top 10% make $116,210 or more, while entry-level workers start around $69,850.

Economists in Montana: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Montana ranks 32nd of 40 states for Economists pay, at $97,330 per year (31.5% below the U.S. average of $142,130).
  • 90 people work as Economists in Montana — 0.5% of all U.S. Economists jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.58: Economists jobs are more concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $69,850; the top 10% earn over $116,210.
  • Hourly equivalent: $46.79 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $175,100.
  • Among science jobs in Montana, Physicists pays the most ($125,680).

Economists Job Market in Montana

Key factors affecting compensation

Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Economists here earn $97,330 on average, placing the state 32nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $97,330 is roughly equivalent to $102,453 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Iowa ($102,020), Arizona ($99,420), New Hampshire ($98,080) are the closest alternatives for Economists weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Economists salary in Montana?

The average Economists salary in Montana is $97,330 per year (median $89,340), which is 31.5% below the national average of $142,130.

How does Montana rank for Economists pay?

Montana ranks 32nd out of 40 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($175,100/yr).

How much do entry-level Economists make in Montana?

The lowest-paid 10% of Economists in Montana earn about $69,850 per year and the 25th percentile is $73,920.

How much do Economists make per hour in Montana?

About $46.79 per hour, based on the $97,330 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Economists work in Montana?

BLS counts 90 Economists jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).

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