SOC 51-4041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Machinists — Billings
Billings, MT · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Billings, MT comes to $64,420 a year, ahead of the national median of $58,750 by 9.7%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Billings, MT comes to $64,420 a year, ahead of the national median of $58,750 by 9.7%. Pay ranges from under $45,760 at the tenth percentile to more than $116,970 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $55,390 to $80,350.
Employment stands at 140, or 1.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Bozeman records the highest median at $66,500. Of the 336 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 114th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,760 | −22.1% |
| 25th | $55,390 | −5.7% |
| Median (50th) | $64,420 | +9.7% |
| 75th | $80,350 | +36.8% |
| 90th | $116,970 | +99.1% |
| Mean | $71,040 | +20.9% |
Other metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $66,500 | 40 | |
| 2 | Missoula | $60,060 | 50 | |
| 3 | Great Falls | $59,340 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Billings run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $64,420 goes as far as $68,097 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$64,420as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$68,097US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $64,420 a year, 9.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,760 to $116,970 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 140 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bozeman, at $66,500.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Machinists in Billings, MT?
The median annual wage is $64,420, or $30.97 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 $58,750, so pay in Billings, MT is 9.7% 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 Billings, MT earns more than $116,970 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,760 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 Bozeman, at $66,500 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 140 jobs in this occupation in Billings, 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.
Explore related data