Bar chart showing Economists salary percentiles in Montana: 10th percentile $63,440, 25th percentile $79,650, median $95,990, 75th percentile $142,240, 90th percentile $142,240. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Entry-level economists (10th percentile) start around $63K. Mid-career wages sit at $96K. Top earners bring in $142K or more, a $79K spread from bottom to top.
The median is $95,990 a year, that works out to about $46 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $63,440, and experienced economists can clear $142,240. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $96K enough to live in Montana?▼
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,947/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 19% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a economists salary go in Montana?▼
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median economists salary is worth about $98,959 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do economists get paid the most?▼
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.
