Software Developers Salary in Montana
Software Developers in Montana have a median of $121,990 a year, below the national $135,980 (−10%); the state ranks 36th of 50 states by median. Software Developers earn 2.5 times the median across all occupations in Montana ($48,740). Among neighbouring states, Idaho pays more (up to $131,590 in Idaho) and Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota pay less (down to $96,310 in South Dakota). Montana employs 2,160 software developers, 4.23 per 1,000 jobs, the 45th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 0.39 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 | $35.27 | $45.58 | $58.65 | $81.34 | $106.44 | $64.21 | 2,160 | 4.23 | 0.39 |
| Annual | $73,370 | $94,800 | $121,990 | $169,180 | $221,400 | $133,550 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $39.64 | $50.58 | $65.38 | $82.68 | $103.21 | $71.20 | 1,687,890 | – | – |
| Annual | $82,460 | $105,210 | $135,980 | $171,980 | $214,670 | $148,100 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 36th of 50 states
- Rank by employment
- 45th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 0.39
- Jobs per 1,000
- 4.23
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 2 nonmetropolitan areas touching Montana publish a row for software developers, 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 | $60.63 | $126,110 | $78,230 | $213,970 | 510 | 7.02 | 0.65 |
| Billings, MT | $48.29 | $100,440 | $64,450 | $185,800 | 250 | 2.70 | 0.25 |
| Helena, MT | $47.77 | $99,370 | $78,160 | $167,140 | 310 | 6.99 | 0.64 |
| Great Falls, MT | * | * | * | * | 70 | 1.97 | 0.18 |
| Missoula, MT | * | * | * | * | 390 | 5.77 | 0.53 |
| West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $64.14 | $133,400 | $62,050 | $186,330 | 300 | 3.52 | 0.32 |
| Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $56.78 | $118,110 | $60,210 | $219,740 | 80 | 2.06 | 0.19 |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Montana | $58.65 | $121,990 | 2,160 | 0.39 |
| Idaho | $63.26 | $131,590 | 5,750 | 0.62 |
| North Dakota | $50.77 | $105,600 | 1,450 | 0.31 |
| South Dakota | $46.30 | $96,310 | 2,380 | 0.48 |
| Wyoming | $55.37 | $115,170 | 1,510 | 0.49 |
See the national page for Software Developers (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.
*- Wage estimate not available.
- 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.