Media & Communications Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Journalist Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median journalist salary in Great Falls, MT is $49,245 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$49,245
vs State Avg
$-3,917
vs National
$-6,715
Cost of Living
88%

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

Great Falls offers a median journalist salary of $49,245, which is $3,917 below the Montana state average of $53,162. Compared to the national median of $55,960, 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 $49,245 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $55,960 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for journalists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for journalists in Great Falls spans from $28,160 at the 10th percentile to $96,800 at the 90th percentile — a $68,640 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,800, while senior journalists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $88,000. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Journalist Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level journalist earns around $30,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $88,000 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,800
$-4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$51,040
$-6,960 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$88,000
$-12,000 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $28,160
25th Percentile $35,200
Median (50th) $49,245
75th Percentile $68,640
90th Percentile $96,800

Journalist Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$64,354
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$57,079
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$53,722
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$52,602
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Journalist in Great Falls

Education

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

Key Skills

WritingInvestigative ResearchInterviewingAP StyleCMS PlatformsSocial Media

Job Outlook

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

Find Journalist Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open journalist positions in Great Falls, MT:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Journalist Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Journalist make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median journalist salary in Great Falls, Montana is $49,245 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $55,960. Salaries range from $28,160 (10th percentile) to $96,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Journalist make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $49,245, a journalist in Great Falls earns approximately $24 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for journalist pay? ▼
Great Falls's median journalist salary of $49,245 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $53,162. 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 journalist salary of $49,245 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a journalist in Great Falls? ▼
Most journalist positions in Great Falls require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Writing, Investigative Research, Interviewing, AP Style. The job market is projected to grow -3% nationally over the next decade.