Physicists Pay Range in Montana
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$53,500
- 25th Percentile — Junior$74,710
- 50th Percentile — Median$103,800
- 75th Percentile — Senior$139,140
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$237,520
Half of Physicists in Montana earn more than $103,800. The top 10% make $237,520 or more, while entry-level workers start around $53,500.
Physicists in Montana: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Montana ranks 42nd of 43 states for Physicists pay, at $125,680 per year (26.6% below the U.S. average of $171,180).
- 30 people work as Physicists in Montana — 0.1% of all U.S. Physicists jobs.
- Location quotient 0.51: Physicists jobs are less concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $53,500; the top 10% earn over $237,520.
- Hourly equivalent: $60.42 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Florida at $219,910.
- Among science jobs in Montana, Microbiologists pays the most ($104,520).
Physicists Job Market in Montana
Key factors affecting compensation
Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Physicists here earn $125,680 on average, placing the state 42nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $125,680 is roughly equivalent to $132,295 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Delaware ($133,760), Indiana ($132,050), Massachusetts ($130,250) are the closest alternatives for Physicists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in Montana
Related career salary benchmarks
- Microbiologists $104,520/yr Montana 16.8% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $102,700/yr Montana 18.3% vs this role
- Economists $97,330/yr Montana 22.6% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $97,050/yr Montana 22.8% vs this role
- Hydrologists $92,840/yr Montana 26.1% vs this role
- Geoscientists $85,330/yr Montana 32.1% vs this role
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists $85,240/yr Montana 32.2% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $82,640/yr Montana 34.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Physicists salary in Montana?
The average Physicists salary in Montana is $125,680 per year (median $103,800), which is 26.6% below the national average of $171,180.
How does Montana rank for Physicists pay?
Montana ranks 42nd out of 43 states. The highest-paying state is Florida ($219,910/yr).
How much do entry-level Physicists make in Montana?
The lowest-paid 10% of Physicists in Montana earn about $53,500 per year and the 25th percentile is $74,710.
How much do Physicists make per hour in Montana?
About $60.42 per hour, based on the $125,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Physicists work in Montana?
BLS counts 30 Physicists jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).
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