SOC 21-1029 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Social Workers, All Other — Montana
Montana · 5 metro areas compared
At $51,650, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Social Workers, All Other, 28.2% beneath the national figure of $71,900.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $51,650, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Social Workers, All Other, 28.2% beneath the national figure of $71,900. Pay ranges from under $36,600 at the tenth percentile to more than $92,600 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,020 to $60,400.
The area has 540 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.63 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Montana ranks number 48th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Helena records the highest median at $60,190. Of the 604 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 347th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,600 | −49.1% |
| 25th | $45,020 | −37.4% |
| Median (50th) | $51,650 | −28.2% |
| 75th | $60,400 | −16.0% |
| 90th | $92,600 | +28.8% |
| Mean | $57,190 | −20.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Helena | $60,190 | 70 | |
| 2 | Great Falls | $59,570 | 40 | |
| 3 | Bozeman | $59,300 | 40 | |
| 4 | Billings | $58,860 | 70 | |
| 5 | Missoula | $47,240 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $51,650 goes as far as $54,598 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 24.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$51,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$54,598US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $51,650 a year, 28.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,600 to $92,600 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 540 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 48th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Helena, at $60,190.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Social Workers, All Other in Montana?
The median annual wage is $51,650, or $24.83 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 $71,900, so pay in Montana is 28.2% 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 $92,600 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,600 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 Helena, at $60,190 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 540 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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