Business & Finance Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Economist Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median economist salary in Great Falls, MT is $100,267 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$100,267
vs State Avg
$-7,976
vs National
$-13,673
Cost of Living
88%

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

Great Falls offers a median economist salary of $100,267, which is $7,976 below the Montana state average of $108,243. Compared to the national median of $113,940, 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 $100,267 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $113,940 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for economists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for economists in Great Falls spans from $54,560 at the 10th percentile to $174,240 at the 90th percentile — a $119,680 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $57,200, while senior economists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $162,800. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Economist Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level economist earns around $57,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $162,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$57,200
$-7,800 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$101,200
$-13,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$162,800
$-22,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $54,560
25th Percentile $72,160
Median (50th) $100,267
75th Percentile $136,400
90th Percentile $174,240

Economist Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$131,031
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$116,219
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$109,382
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$107,104
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Economist in Great Falls

Education

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

Key Skills

EconometricsStatistical AnalysisR/PythonEconomic ModelingResearch MethodsPolicy Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, economist employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Great Falls may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Economist Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open economist positions in Great Falls, MT:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Economist Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Economist make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median economist salary in Great Falls, Montana is $100,267 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $113,940. Salaries range from $54,560 (10th percentile) to $174,240 (90th percentile).
How much does a Economist make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $100,267, a economist in Great Falls earns approximately $48 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for economist pay? ▼
Great Falls's median economist salary of $100,267 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $108,243. 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 economist salary of $100,267 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a economist in Great Falls? ▼
Most economist positions in Great Falls require a master's degree. Key skills include Econometrics, Statistical Analysis, R/Python, Economic Modeling. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.