Science & Research Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Physicist Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median physicist salary in Great Falls, MT is $134,138 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 7.4% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$134,138
vs State Avg
$-10,671
vs National
$-18,292
Cost of Living
88%

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

Great Falls offers a median physicist salary of $134,138, which is $10,671 below the Montana state average of $144,809. Compared to the national median of $152,430, 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 $134,138 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $152,430 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for physicists seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for physicists in Great Falls spans from $68,640 at the 10th percentile to $209,440 at the 90th percentile — a $140,800 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $72,160, while senior physicists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $193,600. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Physicist Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level physicist earns around $72,160, while experienced professionals earn up to $193,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$72,160
$-9,840 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$136,400
$-18,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$193,600
$-26,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $68,640
25th Percentile $95,040
Median (50th) $134,138
75th Percentile $171,600
90th Percentile $209,440

Physicist Salary in Other Montana Cities

Bozeman, MT
$175,295
Pop. 53,293
Missoula, MT
$155,479
Pop. 75,516
Billings, MT
$146,333
Pop. 117,116
Helena, MT
$143,284
Pop. 32,315

How to Become a Physicist in Great Falls

Education

Most physicist positions require a doctoral degree. Great Falls and the surrounding Montana area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Mathematical ModelingExperimental PhysicsPython/MATLABData AnalysisScientific WritingLaboratory Equipment

Job Outlook

Nationally, physicist employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Great Falls may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Physicist Jobs in Great Falls

Browse open physicist positions in Great Falls, MT:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Physicist Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Physicist make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median physicist salary in Great Falls, Montana is $134,138 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $152,430. Salaries range from $68,640 (10th percentile) to $209,440 (90th percentile).
How much does a Physicist make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $134,138, a physicist in Great Falls earns approximately $64 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for physicist pay? ▼
Great Falls's median physicist salary of $134,138 is 7.4% below the Montana state average of $144,809. 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 physicist salary of $134,138 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a physicist in Great Falls? ▼
Most physicist positions in Great Falls require a doctoral degree. Key skills include Mathematical Modeling, Experimental Physics, Python/MATLAB, Data Analysis. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.