Electrical Engineer Salary in Montana: $104,721 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $104,721/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $108,858 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Great Falls ($115,736), Butte ($112,776), Kalispell ($110,807).
As of 2026, electrical engineer salaries in Montana average $104,722, which is 16.2% lower than the national median of $125,033. The highest-paying city in the state is Great Falls, featuring an average salary of $119,960, while Missoula has the lowest at $92,010, creating a gap of $27,950. This disparity can be attributed to local demand for engineers, cost of living differences, and the economic landscape of each city. Montana has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence salaries, often requiring engineers to obtain Professional Engineer (PE) status for higher-level responsibilities. Factors driving demand for electrical engineers in the state include advancements in renewable energy projects, infrastructure development, and technology adoption across industries. With a projected growth rate of 3.65% for electrical engineering jobs, the market outlook remains positive. Key cities contributing to the employment landscape include Great Falls, Butte ($116,892), Kalispell ($114,851), Helena ($108,884), and Billings ($106,998). Overall, while salaries may lag behind national averages, opportunities for career advancement and specialization continue to grow in Montana's engineering sector.
Montana Electrical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $66,927 (lowest entry-level) to $185,939 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana electrical engineers earn 16.25% less than the national median ($-20,312/year difference).
Montana Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Electrical Engineer salaries in Montana range from $74,841 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $150,506 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,721. The Montana median is $20,312 below the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $50.35/hr. Approximately 453 electrical engineers are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$90,750
2025 BLS Actual
$101,034
2026 Current Est.
$104,721
2019–2027 Growth
+19.6%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $89,584 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $95,605 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,204 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,034 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,721 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $108,544 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 11.3% from $90,750 (2019) to $101,034 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $108,544 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,794 (19.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls | $119,960 | 96.2 | $124,699 |
| Butte | $116,892 | 96.2 | $121,509 |
| Kalispell | $114,851 | 96.2 | $119,388 |
| Billings | $106,998 | 93.526 | $114,405 |
| Helena | $108,884 | 95.675 | $113,806 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $74,841 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,721 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $150,506 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in Montana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.
Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in Montana in 2026?
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How does Montana electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?
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Which Montana city offers the best value for electrical engineers?
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
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 electrical engineer compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov