Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand Salary in Montana
The median for laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand in Montana is $43,840 a year, somewhat above the national $40,240 (+9%); the state ranks 14th of 51 states by median. That is 10% less than the median across all occupations in Montana ($48,740). Among neighbouring states, North Dakota pays more (up to $45,690 in North Dakota) and Idaho, South Dakota and Wyoming pay less (down to $38,330 in Wyoming). Montana employs 3,870 laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand, 7.57 per 1,000 jobs, the 47th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.40 means it is less common in Montana than nationally.
Montana vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Montana | Hourly | $15.58 | $17.60 | $21.08 | $22.44 | $25.56 | $20.52 | 3,870 | 7.57 | 0.40 |
| Annual | $32,400 | $36,610 | $43,840 | $46,670 | $53,160 | $42,680 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $15.03 | $17.35 | $19.35 | $22.56 | $26.51 | $20.32 | 2,950,280 | – | – |
| Annual | $31,270 | $36,090 | $40,240 | $46,920 | $55,140 | $42,260 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 14th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 47th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.40
- Jobs per 1,000
- 7.57
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Montana's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Montana
5 metropolitan areas and 3 nonmetropolitan areas touching Montana publish a row for laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $22.63 | $47,070 | $37,040 | $57,190 | 400 | 5.61 | 0.30 |
| Billings, MT | $21.32 | $44,350 | $33,620 | $53,170 | 1,240 | 13.18 | 0.69 |
| Missoula, MT | $20.62 | $42,900 | $35,680 | $47,230 | 460 | 6.88 | 0.36 |
| Helena, MT | $19.70 | $40,980 | $31,460 | $56,220 | 270 | 6.16 | 0.32 |
| Great Falls, MT | $19.14 | $39,810 | $29,660 | $45,680 | 310 | 8.49 | 0.45 |
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $20.15 | $41,910 | $30,880 | $51,560 | 540 | 6.36 | 0.34 |
| Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $19.79 | $41,170 | $33,820 | $49,780 | 220 | 5.58 | 0.29 |
| East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $17.94 | $37,310 | $30,480 | $51,840 | 370 | 6.13 | 0.32 |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $21.08 | $43,840 | 3,870 | 0.40 |
| Idaho | $19.18 | $39,900 | 15,610 | 0.96 |
| North Dakota | $21.97 | $45,690 | 9,990 | 1.23 |
| South Dakota | $18.74 | $38,980 | 3,820 | 0.44 |
| Wyoming | $18.43 | $38,330 | 2,700 | 0.51 |
See the national page for Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand (every state ranked) and the Montana wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Montana estimates.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.