SOC 51-9022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand — Montana
Montana
Median pay for this occupation in Montana comes to $50,460 a year, ahead of the national median of $42,660 by 18.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Montana comes to $50,460 a year, ahead of the national median of $42,660 by 18.3%. Pay ranges from under $44,060 at the tenth percentile to more than $50,700 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $47,700 to $50,700.
Montana ranks number 4th out of 40 states by median pay for this occupation. Of the 604 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 362nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44,060 | +3.3% |
| 25th | $47,700 | +11.8% |
| Median (50th) | $50,460 | +18.3% |
| 75th | $50,700 | +18.8% |
| 90th | $50,700 | +18.8% |
| Mean | $48,910 | +14.7% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $50,460 goes as far as $53,340 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 25.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$50,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$53,340US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,460 a year, 18.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $44,060 to $50,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- It ranks 4th of 40 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Grinding and Polishing Workers, Hand in Montana?
The median annual wage is $50,460, or $24.26 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 $42,660, so pay in Montana is 18.3% higher. 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 $50,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $44,060 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.
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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