Economist salary in Montana
Economists in Montana earn a median of $89,340 a year ($42.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,210 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $124,720. Montana ranks 32nd of 40 states for economists pay. There are 0.18 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $97,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,850 | $33.58 |
| 25th percentile | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Median | $89,340 | $42.95 |
| 75th percentile | $105,050 | $50.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,210 | $55.87 |
| Average (mean) | $97,330 | $46.79 |
Half of economists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,445 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,722.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,436.15 |
| Weekly | $1,718.08 |
| Hourly | $42.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $89,340 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Economist salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Helena, MT | $89,340 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for economists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167,590 |
| New Jersey | $167,550 |
| Delaware | $159,120 |
| Maryland | $144,680 |
| Kansas | $138,790 |
| Virginia | $137,590 |
| New York | $136,660 |
| North Carolina | $136,150 |
| Idaho | $131,270 |
| Alabama | $129,960 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and Regional Planners | $80,770 | $38.83 |
| School Psychologist | $80,010 | $38.47 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $82,380 | $39.60 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $68,160 | $32.77 |
| Anthropologists and Archeologists | $79,420 | $38.18 |
| Psychologists, All Other | $126,960 | $61.04 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a economist make in Montana?
The median salary for economists in Montana is $89,340 a year, or $42.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Montana?
The top 10% of economists in Montana earn at least $116,210 a year. The top 25% earn $105,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,850 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $73,920 or less.
How many economists work in Montana?
About 90 economists are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.