SOC 11-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chief Executives — Montana
Montana · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Montana is $182,340 a year, trailing the national median of $213,990 by 14.8%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Montana is $182,340 a year, trailing the national median of $213,990 by 14.8%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $104,490 and $312,050. The lowest tenth earn under $73,970, while the highest tenth earn more than $432,240.
The area has 670 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.00 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Montana ranks number 26th out of 46 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Billings records the highest median at $227,000. Of the 604 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 10th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $73,970 | −65.4% |
| 25th | $104,490 | −51.2% |
| Median (50th) | $182,340 | −14.8% |
| 75th | $312,050 | +45.8% |
| 90th | $432,240 | +102.0% |
| Mean | $223,550 | +4.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billings | $227,000 | 100 | |
| 2 | Great Falls | $217,910 | 40 | |
| 3 | Bozeman | $199,920 | 90 | |
| 4 | Helena | $173,880 | 90 | |
| 5 | Missoula | $168,200 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $182,340 goes as far as $192,748 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$182,340as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$192,748US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $182,340 a year, 14.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $73,970 to $432,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 670 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 26th of 46 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Billings, at $227,000.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chief Executives in Montana?
The median annual wage is $182,340, or $87.66 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $213,990, so pay in Montana is 14.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Montana earns more than $432,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $73,970 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Billings, at $227,000 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 670 jobs in this occupation in Montana. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data