Software Developer salary in Montana
Software Developers in Montana earn a median of $121,990 a year ($58.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $73,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,400 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $135,980. Montana ranks 36th of 50 states for software developers pay. There are 4.2 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.39). The average (mean) salary is $133,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for software developers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,370 | $35.27 |
| 25th percentile | $94,800 | $45.58 |
| Median | $121,990 | $58.65 |
| 75th percentile | $169,180 | $81.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $221,400 | $106.44 |
| Average (mean) | $133,550 | $64.21 |
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 | $10,165.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,082.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,691.92 |
| Weekly | $2,345.96 |
| Hourly | $58.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Software Developer salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $126,110 | 510 |
| Billings, MT | $100,440 | 250 |
| Helena, MT | $99,370 | 310 |
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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer User Support Specialist | $58,460 | $28.11 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $61,150 | $29.40 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $91,310 | $43.90 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $80,950 | $38.92 |
| Web Developer | $62,060 | $29.84 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $81,970 | $39.41 |
| Information Security Analyst | $81,950 | $39.40 |
| Database Administrator | $83,120 | $39.96 |
| Computer Network Architect | $104,300 | $50.14 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $103,930 | $49.97 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $77,030 | $37.03 |
| Computer Programmer | $89,920 | $43.23 |
| Database Architect | $109,990 | $52.88 |
| Data Scientist | $100,490 | $48.31 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for software developers in Montana is $121,990 a year, or $58.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $73,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $221,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Montana?
The top 10% of software developers in Montana earn at least $221,400 a year. The top 25% earn $169,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $73,370 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $94,800 or less.
How many software developers work in Montana?
About 2,160 software developers are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.