Electrical Engineers in Montana. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Electrical Engineers in Montana earned a median annual wage of $99,230 in 2024, about 13% below the national median of $114,360. That gap is real, but it does not tell the whole story.
Montana's cost-of-living index sits at 96.8, meaning everyday expenses run slightly below the US baseline. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the effective gap narrows to roughly 10%. A Montana engineer keeping local expenses still ends up closer to their coastal peers than the headline figures suggest.
The pay range here is compressed compared to many states. The 10th percentile starts at $75,390 and the 90th tops out at $131,830, a spread of about $56,400. Top earners make roughly 1.75 times what entry-level peers earn. That is a modest range for this occupation nationally, which tends to reflect a smaller, steadier employer base rather than the high-variance project markets found in larger tech or defense hubs. With only around 650 Electrical Engineers employed statewide, the field is concentrated. A few employers and project types set the ceiling.
On the growth side, BLS projects employment in this occupation to expand 7.1% between 2024 and 2034, an outlook BLS classifies as faster than average. For a small state labor market, that pace can translate to a meaningful number of openings even if the absolute count stays modest.
Salary distribution
Where Montana electrical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $76,400 and $112,760, with a median of $87,360.
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Electrical Engineers pay by experience level in Montana
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Montana over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Computers and Electronics
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Writing
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Written Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Critical Thinking
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
- 02
Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
- 03
Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
- 04
Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
- 05
Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
- 06
Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
- 07
Investigate or test vendors' or competitors' products.
- 08
Collect data relating to commercial or residential development, population, or power system interconnection to determine operating efficiency of electrical systems.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+7.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Electrical Engineers in Montana?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Electrical Engineers in Montana is $87,360.
- How does Montana compare to the national median for Electrical Engineers?
- The Montana median is -24.0% versus the BLS national figure of $114,971.
- What is the salary range for Electrical Engineers in Montana?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $72,910 and the 90th-percentile at $133,180, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Electrical Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 7.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Electrical Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.