SOC 51-4041 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Machinists — Montana
Montana · 4 metro areas compared
At $60,920, median pay for Machinists in Montana tracks the national median of $58,750 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $60,920, median pay for Machinists in Montana tracks the national median of $58,750 closely. Pay ranges from under $37,940 at the tenth percentile to more than $81,810 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $48,030 to $68,760.
Employment stands at 630, or 1.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Montana ranks number 19th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Bozeman records the highest median at $66,500. Of the 604 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 261st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,940 | −35.4% |
| 25th | $48,030 | −18.2% |
| Median (50th) | $60,920 | +3.7% |
| 75th | $68,760 | +17.0% |
| 90th | $81,810 | +39.3% |
| Mean | $61,530 | +4.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $66,500 | 40 | |
| 2 | Billings | $64,420 | 140 | |
| 3 | Missoula | $60,060 | 50 | |
| 4 | Great Falls | $59,340 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $60,920 goes as far as $64,397 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,920as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,397US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,920 a year, 3.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,940 to $81,810 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 630 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 19th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bozeman, at $66,500.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Machinists in Montana?
The median annual wage is $60,920, or $29.29 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 Montana is 3.7% 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 Montana earns more than $81,810 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,940 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 630 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.
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