Construction & Real Estate Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Architect Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median architect salary in Great Falls, MT is $72,899 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$72,899
vs State Avg
$-5,799
vs National
$-9,941
Cost of Living
88%

Architect Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median architect salary of $72,899, which is $5,799 below the Montana state average of $78,698. Compared to the national median of $82,840, Great Falls pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Great Falls's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $72,899 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $82,840 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for architects seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for architects in Great Falls spans from $44,000 at the 10th percentile to $130,240 at the 90th percentile — a $86,240 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $45,760, while senior architects with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $123,200. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Architect Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level architect earns around $45,760, while experienced professionals earn up to $123,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$45,760
$-6,240 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$74,800
$-10,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$123,200
$-16,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $44,000
25th Percentile $56,320
Median (50th) $72,899
75th Percentile $98,560
90th Percentile $130,240

Architect Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$95,266
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$84,497
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$79,526
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$77,870
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Architect in Great Falls

Education

Most architect positions require a bachelor's degree. Great Falls and the surrounding Montana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCAD/RevitBuilding DesignBuilding Codes3D ModelingProject ManagementSustainability

Job Outlook

Nationally, architect employment is projected to grow 3% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Great Falls may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Architect Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open architect positions in Great Falls, MT:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Architect Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Architect make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median architect salary in Great Falls, Montana is $72,899 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $82,840. Salaries range from $44,000 (10th percentile) to $130,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Architect make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $72,899, a architect in Great Falls earns approximately $35 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for architect pay? ▼
Great Falls's median architect salary of $72,899 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $78,698. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Great Falls, MT? ▼
Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a architect salary of $72,899 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a architect in Great Falls? ▼
Most architect positions in Great Falls require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD/Revit, Building Design, Building Codes, 3D Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 3% nationally over the next decade.