Forest and Conservation Technicians salary in Montana
Forest and Conservation Technicians in Montana earn a median of $52,420 a year ($25.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,760 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,540 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $54,560. Montana ranks 29th of 45 states for forest and conservation technicians pay. There are 3.5 forest and conservation technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 17.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forest and conservation technicians in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| 25th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Median | $52,420 | $25.20 |
| 75th percentile | $69,160 | $33.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,540 | $38.72 |
| Average (mean) | $58,870 | $28.30 |
Half of forest and conservation technicians 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 | $4,368.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,184.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,016.15 |
| Weekly | $1,008.08 |
| Hourly | $25.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forest and Conservation Technicians salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Missoula, MT | $58,990 | 330 |
| Helena, MT | $54,160 | 170 |
| Billings, MT | $53,290 | 100 |
| Bozeman, MT | $53,290 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for forest and conservation technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $68,600 |
| Alaska | $68,160 |
| Maryland | $64,980 |
| Wisconsin | $62,700 |
| Louisiana | $59,370 |
| Minnesota | $58,990 |
| California | $58,120 |
| New York | $58,030 |
| Colorado | $57,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,370 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Biological Technician | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| Chemical Technician | $52,890 | $25.43 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $52,260 | $25.13 |
| Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians | $55,520 | $26.69 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $60,550 | $29.11 |
| Hydrologic Technician | $53,550 | $25.75 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $82,200 | $39.52 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $49,860 | $23.97 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $81,330 | $39.10 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| Conservation Scientist | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $91,560 | $44.02 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $78,850 | $37.91 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $101,950 | $49.02 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Montana
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4071. 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 forest and conservation technicians make in Montana?
The median salary for forest and conservation technicians in Montana is $52,420 a year, or $25.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,540 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forest and conservation technicians make in Montana?
The top 10% of forest and conservation technicians in Montana earn at least $80,540 a year. The top 25% earn $69,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for forest and conservation technicians in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,660 a year, and a quarter of forest and conservation technicians earn $47,940 or less.
How many forest and conservation technicians work in Montana?
About 1,760 forest and conservation technicians are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.