Economist Salary in Montana
Based on 90+ workers in Montana
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (MT)
$89,340
$42.95/hr
vs National Average
$111,296
-19.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$70K – $116K
90 employed in Montana
Salary Distribution — Economist in Montana
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $69,850 |
| 25th percentile | $73,920 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $89,340 |
| 75th percentile | $105,050 |
| 90th percentile | $116,210 |
Top-Paying Industries for Economist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Economists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Economists in Montana tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $210,780 | 30 |
| Wholesale Trade | $207,400 | 40 |
| Manufacturing | $180,320 | 90 |
| Finance and Insurance | $173,990 | 2K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $160,150 | 170 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Economist in Montana vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Montana) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $105,510 |
| 2023 | $93,870 |
| 2024 | $95,990 |
| 2025 | $89,340 |
| 2026 (projected) | $89,340 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Montana Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $105,510 | $96,369 |
| 2023 | $93,870 | $98,241 |
| 2024 | $95,990 | $102,371 |
| 2025 | $89,340 | $111,296 |
| 2026 (projected) | $89,340 | $111,296 |
Economist Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $73,920 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $89,340 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $105,050 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $116,210 |
Economist Salary in Other States
Related Economist Salaries in Montana
How other high-demand occupations in Montana compare to Economist ($89,340 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Economist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Manager in MT | $131,060 | +46.7% | $63.01/hr |
| Financial Analyst in MT | $99,190 | +11.0% | $47.69/hr |
| Personal Financial Advisor in MT | $97,450 | +9.1% | $46.85/hr |
| Financial Examiner in MT | $80,970 | -9.4% | $38.93/hr |
| Budget Analyst in MT | $79,700 | -10.8% | $38.32/hr |
| Tax Examiner in MT | $76,350 | -14.5% | $36.71/hr |
| Accountant in MT | $75,810 | -15.1% | $36.45/hr |
| Credit Analyst in MT | $74,650 | -16.4% | $35.89/hr |
| Loan Officer in MT | $71,570 | -19.9% | $34.41/hr |
| Compliance Officer in MT | $66,660 | -25.4% | $32.05/hr |
| Insurance Sales Agent in MT | $62,040 | -30.6% | $29.83/hr |
| Occupational Therapist in MT | $88,990 | -0.4% | $42.78/hr |