What the numbers say
The median wage for Software Developers in Montana was $100,190 in 2024, about 28% below the US median of $138,520. That is one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation.
The gap between top and bottom earners inside the state is wide. The 10th percentile starts at $62,890. The 90th percentile reaches $216,250. Top earners here make roughly 3.4 times what entry-level peers make, which points to real variation by experience, specialization, and employer type.
Cost of living shifts the picture somewhat. Montana's index sits at 96.8, meaning prices run about 3% below the national baseline. After that adjustment, the effective median lands closer to $103,500 in national-baseline dollars. That closes part of the headline gap with the US figure, though a meaningful difference remains.
The BLS projects employment for this occupation to grow 15.8% between 2024 and 2034, a much faster rate than average across all occupations. With 2,070 Software Developers currently employed in the state, the absolute numbers are small by coastal standards, but the growth trajectory matches what we see in larger markets.
Salary distribution
Where Montana software developers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $77,990 and $163,730, with a median of $100,190.
Software Developers in Montana: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 9 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $132,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $92,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 5 | $131,950 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $142,215 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 2 | $172,282 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Software Developers in Montana. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Finance, LLC | Software Engineer | 3 | $142,215 |
| Fast Enterprises, LLC | Implementation Analyst | 2 | $139,445 |
| Cisco Systems, Inc. | Software Engineer (Sys) | 1 | $168,563 |
| Dataquad Inc. | Java Full Stack Developer | 1 | $92,000 |
| Ascent Vision Technologies LLC | Software Engineering T4 | 1 | $128,286 |
| Ambry Genetics Corporation | Software Engineer II | 1 | $131,950 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Software Engineer (Sys) at Cisco Systems, Inc.$168,563HelenaWage Level IVDecided Jul 2, 2025I-200-25176-127984
- Java Full Stack Developer at Dataquad Inc.$92,000HelenaWage Level IDecided Jun 16, 2025I-200-25160-066838
- Software Engineer at Social Finance, LLC$132,000HelenaWage Level IIDecided May 8, 2025I-200-25121-927351
- Software Engineering T4 at Ascent Vision Technologies LLC$128,286BelgradeWage Level IIDecided Mar 28, 2025I-203-25080-794985
- Software Engineer II at Ambry Genetics Corporation$131,950MissoulaWage Level IIDecided Mar 24, 2025I-200-25076-781100
- Implementation Analyst at Fast Enterprises, LLC$148,220HelenaWage Level IIDecided Dec 16, 2024I-200-24344-528841
- Implementation Analyst at Fast Enterprises, LLC$130,670HelenaWage Level IIDecided Nov 19, 2024I-200-24317-468846
- Senior Software Engineer at Social Finance, LLC$142,215HelenaWage Level IIIDecided Apr 10, 2025I-200-25093-829936
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Software Developers 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.
Software Developers in Montana, by industry
Median offered wage across 9 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $130,670.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | Fast Enterprises, LLC | 3 | $130,670 |
| Finance and insurance | Social Finance, LLC | 3 | $142,215 |
| Manufacturing | Cisco Systems, Inc. | 2 | $148,424 |
| Professional services | Ambry Genetics Corporation | 1 | $131,950 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Montana over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+15.8%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Software Developers in Montana?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in Montana is $100,190.
- How does Montana compare to the national median for Software Developers?
- The Montana median is -27.7% versus the BLS national figure of $138,520.
- What is the salary range for Software Developers in Montana?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $62,890 and the 90th-percentile at $216,250, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Software Developers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 15.8% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Software Developers?
- 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.