Physicist Salary in Montana
Based on 30+ workers in Montana
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (MT)
$103,800
$49.90/hr
vs National Average
$153,763
-32.5% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$54K – $238K
30 employed in Montana
Salary Distribution — Physicist in Montana
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $53,500 |
| 25th percentile | $74,710 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $103,800 |
| 75th percentile | $139,140 |
| 90th percentile | $237,520 |
Top-Paying Industries for Physicist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Physicists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Physicists in Montana tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $239,360 | 3K |
| Wholesale Trade | $219,010 | — |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $213,780 | 50 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $210,530 | — |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $176,170 | 10K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Physicist in Montana vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Montana) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $103,800 |
| 2026 (projected) | $106,914 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $103,800 | $153,763 |
| 2026 (projected) | $106,914 | $158,376 |
Physicist Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $74,710 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $103,800 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $139,140 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $237,520 |
Physicist Salary in Other States
Related Physicist Salaries in Montana
How other high-demand occupations in Montana compare to Physicist ($103,800 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Physicist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Scientist in MT | $101,950 | -1.8% | $49.01/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in MT | $80,770 | -22.2% | $38.83/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in MT | $80,260 | -22.7% | $38.59/hr |
| Geoscientist in MT | $75,520 | -27.2% | $36.31/hr |
| Psychologist in MT | $68,160 | -34.3% | $32.77/hr |
| Chemist in MT | $61,890 | -40.4% | $29.75/hr |
| Lawyer in MT | $103,720 | -0.1% | $49.87/hr |
| Petroleum Engineer in MT | $104,060 | +0.3% | $50.03/hr |
| Optometrist in MT | $104,280 | +0.5% | $50.13/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in MT | $104,300 | +0.5% | $50.14/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in MT | $104,430 | +0.6% | $50.21/hr |
| Construction Manager in MT | $104,480 | +0.7% | $50.23/hr |