Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in Montana
Agricultural Equipment Operators in Montana earn a median of $58,770 a year ($28.25 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,650 for the top 10%. That is 41% higher than the national median of $41,730. Montana ranks 1st of 40 states for agricultural equipment operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.26 agricultural equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,400, close to the median.
Pay range for agricultural equipment operators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,790 | $13.84 |
| 25th percentile | $45,500 | $21.87 |
| Median | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| 75th percentile | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,650 | $35.41 |
| Average (mean) | $54,400 | $26.15 |
Half of agricultural equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,897.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,448.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,260.38 |
| Weekly | $1,130.19 |
| Hourly | $28.25 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for agricultural equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Montana | $58,770 |
| Louisiana | $58,520 |
| New York | $50,020 |
| Delaware | $49,910 |
| Massachusetts | $49,150 |
| Minnesota | $48,520 |
| North Dakota | $48,080 |
| South Dakota | $48,060 |
| Virginia | $47,890 |
| Iowa | $47,220 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $41,390 | $19.90 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $37,010 | $17.79 |
| Agricultural Workers, All Other | $42,130 | $20.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $64,990 | $31.25 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $56,530 | $27.18 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $32,600 | $15.68 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in Montana
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-2091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a agricultural equipment operator make in Montana?
The median salary for agricultural equipment operators in Montana is $58,770 a year, or $28.25 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural equipment operators make in Montana?
The top 10% of agricultural equipment operators in Montana earn at least $73,650 a year. The top 25% earn $65,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural equipment operators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,790 a year, and a quarter of agricultural equipment operators earn $45,500 or less.
How many agricultural equipment operators work in Montana?
About 130 agricultural equipment operators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.