SOC 19-2042 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers — West Montana
West Montana nonmetropolitan area · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay in West Montana, MT is $75,520 a year, 25.9% under the national median of $101,920 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in West Montana, MT is $75,520 a year, 25.9% under the national median of $101,920 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $75,520 and $75,520. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $40,910 and the ninetieth at $75,520.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.91 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Billings leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $99,270. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 63rd of 319 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,910 | −59.9% |
| 25th | $75,520 | −25.9% |
| Median (50th) | $75,520 | −25.9% |
| 75th | $75,520 | −25.9% |
| 90th | $75,520 | −25.9% |
| Mean | $71,450 | −29.9% |
Other metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billings | $99,270 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $75,520 goes as far as $79,831 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 21.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$75,520as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$79,831US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $75,520 a year, 25.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,910 to $75,520 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Billings, at $99,270.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers in West Montana, MT?
The median annual wage is $75,520, or $36.31 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 $101,920, so pay in West Montana, MT is 25.9% 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 West Montana, MT earns more than $75,520 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,910 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 $99,270 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in West Montana, MT. 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.
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