Electrical Engineer Salary in Billings, MT: $106,998 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Billings, MT earns a median $106,998/year (≈ $51.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $114,405 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.0% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, electrical engineers in Billings, Montana, can expect a median annual salary of $106,998, which reflects a significant contrast to the national median of $125,033 for the same year. Salary ranges within the sector are quite broad, with entry-level positions earning around $80,401 and more experienced professionals commanding up to $155,993. These figures are sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlighting the local market’s ability to provide opportunities depending on experience and specialization. With distinct career paths available, engineers must navigate between the individual contributor (IC) and management tracks, each offering different total compensation trajectories.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,401 | $38.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,226 | $40.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $106,998 | $51.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $135,211 | $65.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $155,993 | $75.00 |
Median Salary Position
14.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,592 (2026 est.). At $106,998, the local median is 14.42% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Billings Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Billings median: $106,998/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $120,222 | -11.00% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -14.42% less |
Electrical Engineers in Billings, MT earn a median of $106,998 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.42% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 11.00% below the Montana state average of $120,222.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $106,998 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $114,405 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,750
2025 BLS Actual
$103,230
2026 Current Est.
$106,998
2019–2027 Growth
+22.2%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Billings (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 | $95,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,400 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $103,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $106,998 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $110,903 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 13.8% from $90,750 (2019) to $103,230 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $110,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,153 (22.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $80,401 – $84,226 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,226 – $106,998 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $106,998 – $135,211 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $135,211 – $155,993 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Billings
The job market for electrical engineers in Billings is relatively stable, with approximately 210 professionals currently employed in the area. The local cost of living, indexed at 93.526, suggests that take-home pay can stretch further than in many other locations. High-paying employers in Billings include entities within the semiconductor industry, particularly those involved in chip design, which generally offer higher salaries compared to roles in utilities and power systems. Factors influencing the salary variance include the prominence of Ph.D. or master’s credentials, the importance of security clearances in defense positions, and the overall industry choice—semiconductor firms typically yield the highest compensation. For those in the electrical engineering field, maximizing earnings might involve seeking advanced certifications or considering manager roles, which can enhance pay levels compared to pure technical paths.
More salary data for 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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $103,230 for electrical engineersin the Billings metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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