Economists pay range in Helena
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $71,160 a year or less, while the top 10% make $139,860 or more. The middle half of economists in Helena earn between $83,830 and $104,950.
- $71K10th
- $84K25th
- $89KMedian
- $105K75th
- $140K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $101,740 | $8,478 | $48.91 |
| Median | $89,340 | $7,445 | $42.95 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $83,830 | $6,986 | $40.30 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $104,950 | $8,746 | $50.46 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Economists pay in Helena vs. Montana and the U.S.
Economists in Helena earn 5% more than the Montana average ($97,330) and 28% less than the U.S. average ($142,130). At the median the gap is -28% against the U.S. median of $124,720.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Helena | $101,740 | $89,340 | $71,160 | $139,860 | 30 |
| Montana | $97,330 | $89,340 | $69,850 | $116,210 | 90 |
| United States | $142,130 | $124,720 | $67,360 | $238,060 | 17,790 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Economists salary after taxes in Helena
On the average salary of $101,740, a single filer in Helena takes home about $76,017 a year, or $6,335 a month and $2,924 every two weeks. Taxes take 25% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Helena a good place for economists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Helena area are 4% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 95.7), so the average $101,740 buys what about $106,339 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.6 times the median wage of all jobs in Helena ($55,040). A typical home costs $477,996, or 4.7 years of this average salary before tax.
Economists salary in nearby metro areas
- Seattle, WA$131,660
- Portland, OR$119,740
- Olympia, WA$107,210
- Salem, OR$118,550
- Fort Collins, CO$127,170
- Boulder, CO$117,480
Highest-paying cities for economists
New York, NY pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($184,860).
- New York, NY$184,860
- Washington, DC$166,140
- Durham, NC$159,310
- St. Louis, MO$156,690
- Los Angeles, CA$155,860
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Economists salary in Helena: questions
How much do economists make an hour in Helena?
$48.92 an hour on average, and $42.95 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level economists salary in Helena?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $71,160 a year and the 25th percentile is $83,830, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the economists take-home pay in Helena?
About $76,017 a year ($6,335 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $101,740.
Do economists earn more in Helena than elsewhere?
The average here is 28% less than the U.S. average for this job ($142,130).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 19-3011; area Helena, MT (25740). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.5%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 5.90, this job is 5.9 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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