Mechanical Engineer salary in Montana
Mechanical Engineers in Montana earn a median of $94,190 a year ($45.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,270 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $104,110. Montana ranks 45th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 0.97 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $98,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,820 | $31.65 |
| 25th percentile | $79,240 | $38.09 |
| Median | $94,190 | $45.28 |
| 75th percentile | $119,820 | $57.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $133,270 | $64.07 |
| Average (mean) | $98,660 | $47.43 |
Half of mechanical engineers 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 | $7,849.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,924.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,622.69 |
| Weekly | $1,811.35 |
| Hourly | $45.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Billings, MT | $107,930 | 120 |
| Missoula, MT | $89,730 | 80 |
| Bozeman, MT | $87,840 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $93,070 | $44.75 |
| Electrical Engineer | $87,360 | $42.00 |
| Industrial Engineer | $104,430 | $50.21 |
| Environmental Engineer | $100,140 | $48.15 |
| Engineers, All Other | $97,470 | $46.86 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $93,380 | $44.89 |
| Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | $105,410 | $50.68 |
| Materials Engineer | $76,030 | $36.56 |
| Chemical Engineer | $127,490 | $61.29 |
| Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors | $97,670 | $46.96 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $104,060 | $50.03 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $65,750 | $31.61 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,330 | $29.00 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Montana
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in Montana?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in Montana is $94,190 a year, or $45.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $133,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Montana?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in Montana earn at least $133,270 a year. The top 25% earn $119,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,820 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $79,240 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Montana?
About 500 mechanical engineers are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.