Elementary School Teacher Salary in Montana: $59,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $59,326/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $61,669 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Billings ($62,390), Bozeman ($60,740), Missoula ($58,240).
In 2026, the average median salary for elementary school teachers in Montana is projected to be $59,326, which is 8.2% lower than the national median of $64,597. Among major cities, Billings offers the highest average salary at $63,001, while Great Falls presents the lowest at $48,794, resulting in a significant salary gap of $14,207. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for teachers, and local school funding. Montana has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that educators must navigate, which can impact both employment prospects and salary structures. The demand for elementary school teachers is expected to grow, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 0.98% as per 2025 BLS data. The overall job market strength reflects a steady need for qualified educators, particularly in urban areas. The top five paying cities in Montana for 2026 are Billings ($63,001), Bozeman ($61,335), Missoula ($58,811), Helena ($58,548), and Butte ($57,154). These cities illustrate varying conditions in hiring trends and school district funding, influencing salary potential across the state.
Montana Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $38,362 (lowest entry-level) to $98,970 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana elementary school teachers earn 8.16% less than the national median ($-5,271/year difference).
Montana Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in Montana range from $40,342 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $87,274 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,326. The Montana median is $5,271 below the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $28.52/hr. Approximately 2,381 elementary school teachers are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$52,778
2025 BLS Actual
$58,750
2026 Current Est.
$59,326
2019–2027 Growth
+13.5%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,778 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,129 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,877 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,095 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,453 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,244 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,907 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 11.3% from $52,778 (2019) to $58,750 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,907 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,129 (13.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Great Falls | $48,794 |
| Kalispell | $56,156 |
| Butte | $57,154 |
| Helena | $58,548 |
| Missoula | $58,811 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $63,001 | 93.526 | $67,362 |
| Helena | $58,548 | 95.675 | $61,195 |
| Missoula | $58,811 | 96.445 | $60,979 |
| Bozeman | $61,335 | 102.51 | $59,833 |
| Butte | $57,154 | 96.2 | $59,412 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,342 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,326 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $87,274 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in Montana cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov