Chief Executive salary in Montana
Chief Executives in Montana earn a median of $182,340 a year ($87.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 670 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $432,240 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $213,990. Montana ranks 26th of 46 states for chief executives pay. There are 1.3 chief executives per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $223,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chief executives in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,970 | $35.56 |
| 25th percentile | $104,490 | $50.24 |
| Median | $182,340 | $87.66 |
| 75th percentile | $312,050 | $150.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $432,240 | $207.81 |
| Average (mean) | $223,550 | $107.48 |
Half of chief executives 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 | $15,195 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $7,597.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $7,013.08 |
| Weekly | $3,506.54 |
| Hourly | $87.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chief Executive salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | $227,000 | 100 |
| Great Falls, MT | $217,910 | 40 |
| Bozeman, MT | $199,920 | 90 |
| Helena, MT | $173,880 | 90 |
| Missoula, MT | $168,200 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for chief executives
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $341,630 |
| Washington | $339,810 |
| Illinois | $331,920 |
| North Carolina | $314,290 |
| Virginia | $310,740 |
| New Jersey | $310,440 |
| Connecticut | $295,120 |
| Hawaii | $281,640 |
| South Dakota | $280,900 |
| New York | $257,980 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| General and Operations Managers | $91,380 | $43.93 |
| Construction Manager | $104,480 | $50.23 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $105,840 | $50.89 |
| Managers, All Other | $110,470 | $53.11 |
| Financial Manager | $131,060 | $63.01 |
| Sales Manager | $117,390 | $56.44 |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers | $132,860 | $63.87 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| Food Service Manager | $72,140 | $34.68 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $95,700 | — |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $73,640 | $35.40 |
| Lodging Manager | $66,580 | $32.01 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $146,030 | $70.21 |
| Human Resources Manager | $115,280 | $55.42 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-1011. 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 chief executive make in Montana?
The median salary for chief executives in Montana is $182,340 a year, or $87.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $432,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chief executives make in Montana?
The top 10% of chief executives in Montana earn at least $432,240 a year. The top 25% earn $312,050 or more.
What is the starting pay for chief executives in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,970 a year, and a quarter of chief executives earn $104,490 or less.
How many chief executives work in Montana?
About 670 chief executives are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.