SOC 25-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — Montana
Montana · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay in Montana is $28,050 a year, 32.7% under the national median of $41,670 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Montana is $28,050 a year, 32.7% under the national median of $41,670 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $26,590 and $30,830. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,930 and the ninetieth at $38,230.
The area has 2,370 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.37 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 50 states with published data for this occupation, Montana ranks 44th by median wage. Billings leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $30,250. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 593rd of 604 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,930 | −45.0% |
| 25th | $26,590 | −36.2% |
| Median (50th) | $28,050 | −32.7% |
| 75th | $30,830 | −26.0% |
| 90th | $38,230 | −8.3% |
| Mean | $30,060 | −27.9% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Billings | $30,250 | 250 | |
| 2 | Bozeman | $29,880 | 200 | |
| 3 | Missoula | $29,310 | 230 | |
| 4 | Helena | $27,700 | 110 | |
| 5 | Great Falls | $26,730 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $28,050 goes as far as $29,651 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 28.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,050as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,651US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,050 a year, 32.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,930 to $38,230 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,370 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 44th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Billings, at $30,250.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Substitute Teachers, Short-Term in Montana?
The median annual wage is $28,050, or $13.49 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 $41,670, so pay in Montana is 32.7% 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 $38,230 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,930 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 Billings, at $30,250 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,370 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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