Software Developer salary in Helena, MT
Software Developers in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $99,370 a year ($47.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 310 workers.
Pay ranges from $78,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,140 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is 19% lower than the Montana statewide median of $121,990. There are 7.0 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $110,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for software developers in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $78,160 | $37.58 |
| 25th percentile | $80,200 | $38.56 |
| Median | $99,370 | $47.77 |
| 75th percentile | $132,100 | $63.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $167,140 | $80.36 |
| Average (mean) | $110,210 | $52.99 |
Half of software developers 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 | $8,280.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,140.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,821.92 |
| Weekly | $1,910.96 |
| Hourly | $47.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Software Developer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $126,110 | 510 |
| Billings, MT | $100,440 | 250 |
Highest-paying states for software developers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $174,410 |
| Washington | $166,540 |
| New York | $166,180 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| Oregon | $142,720 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 |
| Maryland | $138,680 |
| Colorado | $138,390 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 |
| Virginia | $136,460 |
See Software Developer pay in every state or the Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $82,240 | $39.54 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $63,250 | $30.41 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $86,940 | $41.80 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $79,700 | $38.32 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $62,440 | $30.02 |
| Database Administrator | $83,120 | $39.96 |
| Computer Network Architect | $107,700 | $51.78 |
| Information Security Analyst | $81,950 | $39.40 |
| Operations Research Analyst | $80,400 | $38.66 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Helena, MT
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1252. 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 software developer make in Helena, MT?
The median salary for software developers in the Helena, MT metro area is $99,370 a year, or $47.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $78,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $167,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of software developers in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $167,140 a year. The top 25% earn $132,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $78,160 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $80,200 or less.
How many software developers work in Helena, MT?
About 310 software developers are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.