Surveying and Mapping Technicians Salary
The median pay for a surveying and mapping technicians in Montana is $60,330/year ($29/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $80K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 97), that's roughly $62,196 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,129/month, or 28.5% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Montana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $60K get you in Montana?
About surveying and mapping technicians
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What this looks like in Montana
Montana sits well above the national pay line for surveying and mapping technicians, local pay runs about 11% higher than the U.S. median of $54K. Rent runs $1,129/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Cost of living (RPP 97) is near the national average, so spending patterns here track the typical American budget fairly closely. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Montana
Entry-level surveying and mapping technicians (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K. Top earners bring in $80K or more, a $33K spread from bottom to top.
Surveying and Mapping Technicians salary by metro in Montana
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bozeman | $63K | +4% | 60 |
| Missoula | $58K | -4% | 100 |
| Billings | $58K | -5% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track surveying and mapping technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Montana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a surveying and mapping technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in Montana?
Yes — at the median salary of $60K, rent takes 28.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,129/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for surveying and mapping technicians in Montana?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new surveying and mapping technicians typically earn — is $46K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,786/month. At HUD’s $1,129/month FMR, rent would take 41% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is surveying and mapping technician a high-paying job in Montana?
Local pay is 11% above the national median — $60K here vs. $54K nationally.
How does Montana compare to the national average for surveying and mapping technicians?
Montana pays $60K median vs. the U.S. average of $54K — that’s +11%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 97), the purchasing-power equivalent is $62K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do surveying and mapping technicians make in Montana?
The median is $60,330 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,430, and experienced surveying and mapping technicians can clear $79,690. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in Montana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,005/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,129/month, which eats 28.2% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a surveying and mapping technicians salary go in Montana?
Montana has a Regional Price Parity of 97 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median surveying and mapping technicians salary is worth about $62,196 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do surveying and mapping technicians 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.