Billings vs Butte: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)
Compare electrical engineer salaries between Billings, MT and Butte, MT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Billings, MT | Butte, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $106,998 | $116,892▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $51.44 | $56.20▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,401▲ | $72,454 |
| 25th Percentile | $84,226 | $92,001▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $135,211 | $148,584▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $155,993 | $176,688▲ |
| Total Employed | 210▲ | 7 |
Verdict
Butte, MT offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Billings.
The salary gap between Billings and Butte is $9,894 (9.25%). Butte's median is -6.51% compared to the US national median of $125,033.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Billings spans $75,592,Butte spans $104,234. Butte has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced electrical engineers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Butte ($121,509 effective) pays 6.21% more than Billings ($114,405 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Billings if…
- ✓Larger job market (210 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Choose Butte if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($116,892/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($176,688)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $121,509)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Billings grew 13.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.0% growth in Butte over the same period.
Billings, MT
$90,750 (2019) → $103,230 (2025)
Butte, MT
$88,815 (2024) → $112,776 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Billings, MT
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS , released .
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov