2026 Salary — Montana
Updated April 29, 2026
Software Engineer Salary in Montana: $123K Median
Software Engineers in Montana earn between $81K and $194K per year.
That's -7% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Software Engineer salary in Montana is $123,011 per year — -7% below the US national median of $132,270. Salaries range from $80,501 (entry, 25th percentile) to $194,017 (90th percentile). Montana's cost-of-living index is 100. State income tax applies.
Median
$123,011
+520.0% YoY
Entry
$88,350
Experienced
$162,750
Top 10%
$194,017
About Software Engineers in Montana
Software engineers design, develop, test, and maintain software applications and systems. They work across web, mobile, backend, and cloud platforms using languages like Python, JavaScript, and Java.
Hot 2026 Skills
PythonTypeScriptAWS/AzureLLM/RAGKubernetesGo/Rust
ATS Keywords
PythonJavaScriptTypeScriptReactNode.jsAWSCI/CDsystem designmicroservicesAPI development
How to Negotiate Your Software Engineer Salary in Montana
Walk-away anchor: $106,966.
Leverage Points
- Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
- Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
- Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
- Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems
Negotiate Beyond Base
Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years
Software Engineer Salary FAQ — Montana
What is the average Software Engineer salary in Montana?
The average Software Engineer salary in Montana is $123,011 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $80,501 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $194,017 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.
How does Software Engineer pay in Montana compare to the US average?
Software Engineers in Montana earn approximately 7% less than the US national median ($132,270 nationally vs $123,011 in Montana). Montana's cost-of-living index of 100 is close to the national average.
Did Software Engineer salaries in Montana increase in 2026?
Yes — Software Engineer salaries in Montana grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $19,840 in 2025 to $123,011 in 2026. This reflects the broader Technology sector's wage growth, driven by Python and TypeScript demand.
Which Montana cities pay Software Engineers the most?
Montana has no major metros in our database — fallback to the closest tracked city for detailed breakdowns.
What's the job outlook for Software Engineers in Montana?
Software developer employment is projected to grow 17% through 2034 — adding 327,900 new jobs. AI and cloud computing demand continues to drive growth, particularly for engineers with ML/AI skills. Montana's top industries include Agriculture, Tourism, Mining, and the state's unemployment rate is 3% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Montana have state income tax?
Yes, Montana has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $123,011, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.
What skills are most in demand for Software Engineers in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: Python, TypeScript, AWS/Azure, LLM/RAG, Kubernetes, Go/Rust. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Montana employers.
How can I increase my Software Engineer salary in Montana?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Beyond base, negotiate: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance. Walk-away anchor for Montana: $106,966.
Methodology
Montana Software Engineer salary is the BLS national median ($132,270) adjusted by Montana's state multiplier (0.93×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
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