Technology Great Falls, MT Pop. 60,442

Software Engineer Salary in Great Falls, Montana

The median software engineer salary in Great Falls, MT is $104,328 per year, which is 16% below the national median and 7.7% below the Montana state average.

City Median
$104,328
vs State Avg
$-8,694
vs National
$-19,872
Cost of Living
88%

Software Engineer Pay in Great Falls: What to Expect (2026)

Great Falls offers a median software engineer salary of $104,328, which is $8,694 below the Montana state average of $113,022. Compared to the national median of $124,200, 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 $104,328 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $118,555 in an average-cost city. This makes Great Falls an attractive option for software engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for software engineers in Great Falls spans from $62,664 at the 10th percentile to $166,807 at the 90th percentile — a $104,143 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $65,520, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $155,400. Great Falls is a smaller market (pop. 60,442), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Software Engineer Salary in Great Falls by Experience

In Great Falls, an entry-level software engineer earns around $65,520, while experienced professionals earn up to $155,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$65,520
$-12,480 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$105,000
$-20,000 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$155,400
$-29,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Great Falls, MT

Percentile Great Falls
10th Percentile $62,664
25th Percentile $82,488
Median (50th) $104,328
75th Percentile $132,888
90th Percentile $166,807

Software Engineer Salary in Other Montana Cities

How to Become a Software Engineer in Great Falls

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Great Falls may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Great Falls

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Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Great Falls

How much does a Software Engineer make in Great Falls, MT? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Great Falls, Montana is $104,328 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $62,664 (10th percentile) to $166,807 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Great Falls? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $104,328, a software engineer in Great Falls earns approximately $50 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Great Falls compare to the Montana state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Great Falls's median software engineer salary of $104,328 is 7.7% below the Montana state average of $113,022. 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 software engineer salary of $104,328 in Great Falls has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Great Falls? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Great Falls require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.