SOC 25-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — Montana
Montana · 5 metro areas compared
At $36,540, median pay for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Montana tracks the national median of $38,140 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $36,540, median pay for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Montana tracks the national median of $38,140 closely. Pay ranges from under $28,370 at the tenth percentile to more than $49,550 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $31,480 to $44,950.
The area has 960 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.61 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Montana ranks number 30th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Bozeman records the highest median at $40,150. Of the 604 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 551st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,370 | −25.6% |
| 25th | $31,480 | −17.5% |
| Median (50th) | $36,540 | −4.2% |
| 75th | $44,950 | +17.9% |
| 90th | $49,550 | +29.9% |
| Mean | $38,440 | +0.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $40,150 | 120 | |
| 2 | Billings | $37,090 | 170 | |
| 3 | Missoula | $36,040 | 130 | |
| 4 | Helena | $35,440 | 70 | |
| 5 | Great Falls | $35,270 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $36,540 goes as far as $38,626 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,626US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,540 a year, 4.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,370 to $49,550 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 960 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 30th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Bozeman, at $40,150.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education in Montana?
The median annual wage is $36,540, or $17.57 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 $38,140, so pay in Montana is 4.2% 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 Montana earns more than $49,550 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,370 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 $40,150 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 960 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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