Elementary School Teacher Salary in Billings, MT: $63,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Billings, MT earns a median $63,001/year (≈ $30.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $67,362 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Billings, Montana, the anticipated median annual salary for elementary school teachers in 2026 is $63,001, reflecting a competitive position when considered alongside the national median of $64,597. This figure may appear modest; however, the full salary range spans from $39,756 at the low end to $98,970 at the high end, demonstrating significant variability based on experience and qualifications. Compensation for educators in this region is shaped by the area's cost of living index of 93.526, which suggests that living expenses are lower than the national average. As a result, the effective purchasing power for elementary school teacher pay in Billings, MT, is enhanced compared to higher-cost-of-living districts, making this a critical factor in the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,756 | $19.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,551 | $23.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,001 | $30.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,138 | $38.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,970 | $47.58 |
Median Salary Position
2.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,214 (2026 est.). At $63,001, the local median is 2.47% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Billings Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Billings median: $63,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $58,825 | +7.10% more |
| National Average | $64,597 | -2.47% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Billings, MT earn a median of $63,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.47% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 7.10% above the Montana state average of $58,825.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $63,001 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,362 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,210
2025 BLS Actual
$62,390
2026 Current Est.
$63,001
2019–2027 Growth
+15.2%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,619 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 13.0% from $55,210 (2019) to $62,390 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,619 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,409 (15.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,756 – $49,551 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,551 – $63,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,001 – $79,138 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,138 – $98,970 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Billings
With around 820 elementary school teachers employed in Billings, the local job market exhibits stability and demand. The lower cost of living may translate to a favorable situation for teachers, as salaries enable a decent quality of life amidst moderate housing and general expenses. Among the area’s employers, public school districts tend to offer the most competitive compensation packages, primarily driven by a step-and-lane pay scale that rewards years of experience and education levels. Additionally, special education and STEM positions may include higher stipends due to ongoing shortages. Educators seeking to maximize their elementary school teacher salary in Billings can consider pursuing National Board Certification, seeking advanced degrees, or taking on additional roles like summer school or after-school tutoring. These strategies align with the district’s compensation policies and enable teachers to increase their annual earnings.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $62,390 for elementary school teachersin the Billings metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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