SOC 19-1022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Microbiologists — West Montana
West Montana nonmetropolitan area · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Microbiologists in West Montana, MT is $133,470 per year, well above the national median of $87,990.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Microbiologists in West Montana, MT is $133,470 per year, well above the national median of $87,990. The gap of 51.7% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $112,260 and $171,600. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $97,470 and the ninetieth at $243,480.
Employment stands at 30, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Bozeman records the highest median at $65,120. Of the 319 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 9th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $97,470 | +10.8% |
| 25th | $112,260 | +27.6% |
| Median (50th) | $133,470 | +51.7% |
| 75th | $171,600 | +95.0% |
| 90th | $243,480 | +176.7% |
| Mean | $148,290 | +68.5% |
Other metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $65,120 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $133,470 goes as far as $141,089 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 60.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$133,470as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$141,089US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $133,470 a year, 51.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $97,470 to $243,480 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bozeman, at $65,120.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Microbiologists in West Montana, MT?
The median annual wage is $133,470, or $64.17 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 $87,990, so pay in West Montana, MT is 51.7% 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 West Montana, MT earns more than $243,480 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $97,470 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 $65,120 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 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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