Data Scientist Salary in Missoula, MT: $105,860 (2026)

Data Scientist Pay in Missoula: What to Expect (2026)

Missoula offers a median data scientist salary of $105,860, which is $7,562 above the Montana state average of $98,298. Compared to the national median of $108,020, Missoula pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Missoula's cost of living is 102% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for data scientists in Missoula spans from $60,172 at the 10th percentile to $174,636 at the 90th percentile — a $114,464 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,560, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $161,700. Missoula is a smaller market (pop. 75,516), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Data Scientist Salary in Missoula by Experience

In Missoula, an entry-level data scientist earns around $70,560, while experienced professionals earn up to $161,700 per year. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$70,560

$-1,440 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$109,760

$-2,240 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$161,700

$-3,300 vs national

Percentile	Missoula	MT State	National
10th Percentile	$60,172	$55,874	$61,400
25th Percentile	$82,516	$76,622	$84,200
Median (50th)	$105,860	$98,298	$108,020
75th Percentile	$138,180	$128,310	$141,000
90th Percentile	$174,636	$162,162	$178,200

Percentile

Missoula

10th Percentile

$60,172

25th Percentile

$82,516

Median (50th)

$105,860

75th Percentile

$138,180

90th Percentile

$174,636

How to Become a Data Scientist in Missoula

Education

Most data scientist positions require a bachelor's degree. Missoula and the surrounding Montana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningStatisticsData Visualization

Job Outlook

Nationally, data scientist employment is projected to grow 35% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Missoula may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Missoula

How much does a Data Scientist make in Missoula, MT? ▼

The median data scientist salary in Missoula, Montana is $105,860 per year, which is 2% below the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $60,172 (10th percentile) to $174,636 (90th percentile).

How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Missoula? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $105,860, a data scientist in Missoula earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Missoula compare to the Montana state average for data scientist pay? ▼

Missoula's median data scientist salary of $105,860 is 7.7% above the Montana state average of $98,298. The local cost of living index is 102% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Missoula, MT? ▼

Missoula has a cost of living index of 102% compared to the national average. This means a data scientist salary of $105,860 in Missoula has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Missoula? ▼

Most data scientist positions in Missoula require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning. The job market is projected to grow 35% nationally over the next decade.

Data Scientist Salary in Missoula, Montana