Jobs that actually got a raise in Montana

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average (2024), so a Montana salary is worth about 1.06× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Montana.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Montana

OccupationMedian, Montana · Real change since 2019

1Coaches and Scouts$48,020
Bachelor's degree
$22,530 – $79,000+84.7%+132.5% nominal
2Photographers$39,900
High school diploma or equivalent
$24,070 – $110,570+65.5%+108.5% nominal
3Tree Trimmers and Pruners$59,580
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,950 – $69,760+60.5%+102.1% nominal
4News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists$47,960
Bachelor's degree
$34,120 – $73,320+50.6%+89.6% nominal
5Skincare Specialists$58,500
Postsecondary nondegree award
$35,130 – $96,780+47.4%+85.7% nominal
6First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers$48,300
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,520 – $69,640+47.3%+85.5% nominal
7Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians$36,050
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,080 – $43,180+45.4%+83.1% nominal
8Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other$49,580
No formal educational credential
$39,620 – $62,640+41.7%+78.4% nominal
9Tour and Travel Guides$40,100
High school diploma or equivalent
$23,770 – $59,280+39.8%+76.1% nominal
10Directors, Religious Activities and Education$45,220
Bachelor's degree
$28,460 – $69,220+38.0%+73.7% nominal
11Tax Preparers$63,080
High school diploma or equivalent
$44,300 – $100,060+36.2%+71.5% nominal
12Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$43,110
High school diploma or equivalent
$26,430 – $73,430+31.0%+64.9% nominal
13Tile and Stone Setters$58,670
No formal educational credential
$44,500 – $70,640+31.0%+65.0% nominal
14Editors$61,750
Bachelor's degree
$32,190 – $122,940+30.4%+64.2% nominal
15Chiropractors$76,120
Doctoral or professional degree
$35,610 – $129,440+30.0%+63.7% nominal
16Sales and Related Workers, All Other$46,160
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,510 – $152,010+29.9%+63.6% nominal
17Packers and Packagers, Hand$34,960
No formal educational credential
$22,980 – $45,950+29.8%+63.4% nominal
18Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners$56,860
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,130 – $79,170+28.7%+62.0% nominal
19Real Estate Sales Agents$79,100
High school diploma or equivalent
$49,010 – $194,630+28.2%+61.4% nominal
20Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$38,000
Postsecondary nondegree award
$22,160 – $75,440+28.0%+61.2% nominal
21Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary$30,070
Bachelor's degree
$21,940 – $61,620+25.9%+58.6% nominal
22Fence Erectors$55,720
No formal educational credential
$39,470 – $68,200+25.7%+58.3% nominal
23Commercial Pilots$103,690
Postsecondary nondegree award
$73,440 – $226,770+25.6%+58.1% nominal
24Roofers$59,030
No formal educational credential
$46,020 – $71,920+24.2%+56.4% nominal
25Psychiatric Aides$46,340
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,680 – $58,280+24.2%+56.3% nominal
26Childcare Workers$35,120
High school diploma or equivalent
$27,770 – $38,750+23.7%+55.8% nominal
27Residential Advisors$47,230
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,460 – $58,950+23.3%+55.3% nominal
28Cooks, All Other$42,640
No formal educational credential
$31,600 – $50,670+23.2%+55.1% nominal
29Tire Repairers and Changers$46,360
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,790 – $49,880+23.1%+55.1% nominal
30Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$75,720
High school diploma or equivalent
$48,110 – $94,680+23.1%+55.0% nominal
31Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$41,390
No formal educational credential
$28,080 – $50,440+22.6%+54.3% nominal
32Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$35,330
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,470 – $43,320+22.4%+54.1% nominal
33Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$60,140
No formal educational credential
$45,870 – $79,240+21.6%+53.2% nominal
34Chief Executives$182,340
Bachelor's degree
$73,970 – $432,240+21.2%+52.6% nominal
35Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,740
No formal educational credential
$28,080 – $49,210+20.9%+52.3% nominal
36Phlebotomists$45,470
Postsecondary nondegree award
$36,950 – $52,590+20.7%+52.0% nominal
37Travel Agents$61,330
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,230 – $88,230+20.7%+52.0% nominal
38Food Preparation Workers$33,860
No formal educational credential
$26,000 – $43,410+20.1%+51.3% nominal
39Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$58,740
Postsecondary nondegree award
$38,170 – $78,460+20.1%+51.3% nominal
40Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$47,730
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,020 – $57,860+19.1%+50.0% nominal
41Cashiers$34,190
No formal educational credential
$23,900 – $41,590+18.8%+49.6% nominal
42Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$101,220
Doctoral or professional degree
$49,310 – $297,190+18.7%+49.5% nominal
43Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$59,180
High school diploma or equivalent
$42,520 – $61,230+18.5%+49.2% nominal
44Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$45,350
No formal educational credential
$32,170 – $59,340+18.5%+49.3% nominal
45Child, Family, and School Social Workers$56,780
Bachelor's degree
$39,250 – $72,000+18.3%+49.0% nominal
46Machinists$60,920
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,940 – $81,810+17.7%+48.3% nominal
47Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$36,250
No formal educational credential
$30,160 – $44,980+17.7%+48.2% nominal
48Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$43,700
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,960 – $62,280+17.4%+47.9% nominal
49Biological Technicians$49,920
Bachelor's degree
$40,330 – $64,980+17.2%+47.6% nominal
50Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$28,910
No formal educational credential
$22,700 – $35,980+17.0%+47.3% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianMontana	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Coaches and ScoutsBachelor's degree	$48,020	$22,530 – $79,000	+84.7%+132.5% nominal
2	PhotographersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39,900	$24,070 – $110,570	+65.5%+108.5% nominal
3	Tree Trimmers and PrunersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,580	$46,950 – $69,760	+60.5%+102.1% nominal
4	News Analysts, Reporters, and JournalistsBachelor's degree	$47,960	$34,120 – $73,320	+50.6%+89.6% nominal
5	Skincare SpecialistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$58,500	$35,130 – $96,780	+47.4%+85.7% nominal
6	First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,300	$28,520 – $69,640	+47.3%+85.5% nominal
7	Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,050	$31,080 – $43,180	+45.4%+83.1% nominal
8	Grounds Maintenance Workers, All OtherNo formal educational credential	$49,580	$39,620 – $62,640	+41.7%+78.4% nominal
9	Tour and Travel GuidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40,100	$23,770 – $59,280	+39.8%+76.1% nominal
10	Directors, Religious Activities and EducationBachelor's degree	$45,220	$28,460 – $69,220	+38.0%+73.7% nominal
11	Tax PreparersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,080	$44,300 – $100,060	+36.2%+71.5% nominal
12	Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43,110	$26,430 – $73,430	+31.0%+64.9% nominal
13	Tile and Stone SettersNo formal educational credential	$58,670	$44,500 – $70,640	+31.0%+65.0% nominal
14	EditorsBachelor's degree	$61,750	$32,190 – $122,940	+30.4%+64.2% nominal
15	ChiropractorsDoctoral or professional degree	$76,120	$35,610 – $129,440	+30.0%+63.7% nominal
16	Sales and Related Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,160	$34,510 – $152,010	+29.9%+63.6% nominal
17	Packers and Packagers, HandNo formal educational credential	$34,960	$22,980 – $45,950	+29.8%+63.4% nominal
18	Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe CleanersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$56,860	$39,130 – $79,170	+28.7%+62.0% nominal
19	Real Estate Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$79,100	$49,010 – $194,630	+28.2%+61.4% nominal
20	Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$38,000	$22,160 – $75,440	+28.0%+61.2% nominal
21	Teaching Assistants, PostsecondaryBachelor's degree	$30,070	$21,940 – $61,620	+25.9%+58.6% nominal
22	Fence ErectorsNo formal educational credential	$55,720	$39,470 – $68,200	+25.7%+58.3% nominal
23	Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award	$103,690	$73,440 – $226,770	+25.6%+58.1% nominal
24	RoofersNo formal educational credential	$59,030	$46,020 – $71,920	+24.2%+56.4% nominal
25	Psychiatric AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,340	$39,680 – $58,280	+24.2%+56.3% nominal
26	Childcare WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35,120	$27,770 – $38,750	+23.7%+55.8% nominal
27	Residential AdvisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,230	$38,460 – $58,950	+23.3%+55.3% nominal
28	Cooks, All OtherNo formal educational credential	$42,640	$31,600 – $50,670	+23.2%+55.1% nominal
29	Tire Repairers and ChangersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,360	$36,790 – $49,880	+23.1%+55.1% nominal
30	Telecommunications Line Installers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$75,720	$48,110 – $94,680	+23.1%+55.0% nominal
31	Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and GreenhouseNo formal educational credential	$41,390	$28,080 – $50,440	+22.6%+54.3% nominal
32	Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$35,330	$29,470 – $43,320	+22.4%+54.1% nominal
33	Drywall and Ceiling Tile InstallersNo formal educational credential	$60,140	$45,870 – $79,240	+21.6%+53.2% nominal
34	Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree	$182,340	$73,970 – $432,240	+21.2%+52.6% nominal
35	Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$35,740	$28,080 – $49,210	+20.9%+52.3% nominal
36	PhlebotomistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$45,470	$36,950 – $52,590	+20.7%+52.0% nominal
37	Travel AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,330	$30,230 – $88,230	+20.7%+52.0% nominal
38	Food Preparation WorkersNo formal educational credential	$33,860	$26,000 – $43,410	+20.1%+51.3% nominal
39	Automotive Service Technicians and MechanicsPostsecondary nondegree award	$58,740	$38,170 – $78,460	+20.1%+51.3% nominal
40	Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and FinishersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,730	$38,020 – $57,860	+19.1%+50.0% nominal
41	CashiersNo formal educational credential	$34,190	$23,900 – $41,590	+18.8%+49.6% nominal
42	Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$101,220	$49,310 – $297,190	+18.7%+49.5% nominal
43	Eligibility Interviewers, Government ProgramsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,180	$42,520 – $61,230	+18.5%+49.2% nominal
44	Landscaping and Groundskeeping WorkersNo formal educational credential	$45,350	$32,170 – $59,340	+18.5%+49.3% nominal
45	Child, Family, and School Social WorkersBachelor's degree	$56,780	$39,250 – $72,000	+18.3%+49.0% nominal
46	MachinistsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,920	$37,940 – $81,810	+17.7%+48.3% nominal
47	Laundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersNo formal educational credential	$36,250	$30,160 – $44,980	+17.7%+48.2% nominal
48	Merchandise Displayers and Window TrimmersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43,700	$34,960 – $62,280	+17.4%+47.9% nominal
49	Biological TechniciansBachelor's degree	$49,920	$40,330 – $64,980	+17.2%+47.6% nominal
50	Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopNo formal educational credential	$28,910	$22,700 – $35,980	+17.0%+47.3% nominal

More for Montana

Metro areas in Montana

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Montana

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Montana to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in Montana

More for Montana

Metro areas in Montana

By field in Montana

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state