Economist salary in Helena, MT
Economists in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $89,340 a year ($42.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $71,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,860 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $124,720. Pay here is about the same as the Montana statewide median of $89,340. There are 0.68 economists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $101,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for economists in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,160 | $34.21 |
| 25th percentile | $83,830 | $40.30 |
| Median | $89,340 | $42.95 |
| 75th percentile | $104,950 | $50.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $139,860 | $67.24 |
| Average (mean) | $101,740 | $48.92 |
Half of economists 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 | $7,445 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,722.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,436.15 |
| Weekly | $1,718.08 |
| Hourly | $42.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for economists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $167,590 |
| New Jersey | $167,550 |
| Delaware | $159,120 |
| Maryland | $144,680 |
| Kansas | $138,790 |
| Virginia | $137,590 |
| New York | $136,660 |
| North Carolina | $136,150 |
| Idaho | $131,270 |
| Alabama | $129,960 |
See Economist pay in every state or the Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other | $82,380 | $39.60 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $82,690 | $39.76 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $81,940 | $39.40 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,160 | $26.04 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $82,740 | $39.78 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $84,230 | $40.49 |
| Biological Technician | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $103,380 | $49.70 |
| Conservation Scientist | $69,240 | $33.29 |
| Hydrologist | $86,260 | $41.47 |
| Epidemiologist | $84,290 | $40.53 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Helena, MT
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-3011. 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 economist make in Helena, MT?
The median salary for economists in the Helena, MT metro area is $89,340 a year, or $42.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $71,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $139,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid economists make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of economists in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $139,860 a year. The top 25% earn $104,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for economists in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $71,160 a year, and a quarter of economists earn $83,830 or less.
How many economists work in Helena, MT?
About 30 economists are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.