Technology Montana (MT) Rank #31 of 50

Data Engineer Salary in Montana

The median data engineer salary in Montana is $113,750 per year, which is 9% below the national median of $125,000.

Median Salary
$113,750
vs National
$-11,250
State Rank
#31 of 50
Cost of Living
95%

Data Engineer Salary Overview in Montana (2026)

Montana ranks #31 out of 50 states for data engineer compensation. Data Engineer salaries in Montana are below the national median, though the higher cost of living makes this gap more significant. At $113,750 per year, data engineers in Montana earn $11,250 less than the national median of $125,000.

Montana's cost of living is near the national average at 95%, meaning data engineer salaries here translate closely to their face value in purchasing power.

The salary spread in Montana is significant: data engineers at the 10th percentile earn $70,980, while those at the 90th percentile bring home $172,900 — a $101,920 gap that reflects differences in experience, specialization, employer type, and metro area. The highest-paying city in Montana for this role is Bozeman, where the median reaches $138,750.

Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). This strong growth suggests increasing demand and competitive salaries in Montana and beyond.

Data Engineer Salary in Montana by Experience

In Montana, an entry-level data engineer earns around $72,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $163,800 per year. The cost of living index in Montana is 95% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$72,800
$-7,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$115,570
$-11,430 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$163,800
$-16,200 vs national

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Salary Percentiles in Montana

Percentile MT Salary
10th Percentile $70,980
25th Percentile $91,000
Median (50th) $113,750
75th Percentile $143,780
90th Percentile $172,900

Data Engineer Salary by City in Montana

The largest employment areas for data engineers in Montana include Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, and Bozeman. Salaries vary by city based on local cost of living and demand.

How to Become a Data Engineer in Montana

Education

Most data engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Montana has several accredited institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonSQLSparkAirflowAWS/GCPData Modeling

Job Outlook in Montana

Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Montana's demand may vary based on local industry trends.

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Frequently Asked Questions: Data Engineer Salary in Montana

How much does a Data Engineer make in Montana? ▼
The median data engineer salary in Montana is $113,750 per year, which is 9% below the national median of $125,000. Salaries range from $70,980 (10th percentile) to $172,900 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Engineer make per hour in Montana? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $113,750, a data engineer in Montana earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
Is Montana a good state for data engineers? ▼
Montana ranks #31 out of 50 states for data engineer pay. The cost of living index is 95% of the national average. Entry-level data engineers earn $72,800, while senior professionals earn $163,800.
How does Montana compare to other states for data engineer salary? ▼
The highest paying state for data engineers is Hawaii at $206,250. Montana's median of $113,750 ranks #31 nationally. Nearby-ranked states include New Mexico ($116,250) and Wisconsin ($115,000).
What is the entry-level data engineer salary in Montana? ▼
An entry-level data engineer in Montana earns approximately $72,800 per year. With 3-7 years of experience, pay increases to around $115,570. Senior-level professionals with 8+ years earn up to $163,800.
What city in Montana pays data engineers the most? ▼
Bozeman is the highest paying city in Montana for data engineers, with a median salary of $138,750. Other cities include Billings and Missoula.