Software Engineer Salary in Helena, MT: $111,780 (2026)

Software Engineer Pay in Helena: What to Expect (2026)

Helena offers a median software engineer salary of $111,780, which is $1,242 below the Montana state average of $113,022. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Helena pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Helena's cost of living is 94% 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 software engineers in Helena spans from $67,140 at the 10th percentile to $178,722 at the 90th percentile — a $111,582 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $70,200, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $166,500. Helena is a smaller market (pop. 32,315), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Software Engineer Salary in Helena by Experience

In Helena, an entry-level software engineer earns around $70,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $166,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$70,200

$-7,800 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$112,500

$-12,500 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$166,500

$-18,500 vs national

Percentile	Helena	MT State	National
10th Percentile	$67,140	$67,886	$74,600
25th Percentile	$88,380	$89,362	$98,200
Median (50th)	$111,780	$113,022	$124,200
75th Percentile	$142,380	$143,962	$158,200
90th Percentile	$178,722	$180,708	$198,580

Percentile

Helena

10th Percentile

$67,140

25th Percentile

$88,380

Median (50th)

$111,780

75th Percentile

$142,380

90th Percentile

$178,722

How to Become a Software Engineer in Helena

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Helena 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 Helena may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Helena

How much does a Software Engineer make in Helena, MT? ▼

The median software engineer salary in Helena, Montana is $111,780 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $67,140 (10th percentile) to $178,722 (90th percentile).

How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Helena? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $111,780, a software engineer in Helena earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Helena compare to the Montana state average for software engineer pay? ▼

Helena's median software engineer salary of $111,780 is 1.1% below the Montana state average of $113,022. The local cost of living index is 94% of the national average.

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

Helena has a cost of living index of 94% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $111,780 in Helena has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Helena? ▼

Most software engineer positions in Helena 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.

Software Engineer Salary in Helena, Montana