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State profile · NCES F-33 FY2023

Teacher Salary in Montana

Montana is in the smallest third by reported enrollment (149,179 students) among states with NCES enrollment. According to the NCES Common Core of Data finance survey, estimated teacher pay and per-pupil spending are available for every public school district in Montana.

$59,058
Est. state avg salary

Well below benchmark

-15.9%
vs national
#36
National rank
317
Districts

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$59,058/year (est.)

Montana is in the smallest third by reported enrollment (149,179 students) among states with NCES enrollment. Estimated average teacher salary is $59,058, materially below the national average of $70,245, ranking #36 of 49, across 140 public school districts with reliable data (NCES CCD F-33, FY2023).

  • Smaller K-12 enrollment scale: Montana is in the smallest third by reported enrollment (149,179 students) among states with NCES enrollment.
  • lower third nationally (#36 of 49)
  • Montana ranks #36 of 49 on the salary estimate and #43 of 49 on enrollment in the same reliable-district pool.
  • $71,525 spread between its highest- and lowest-paying districts
  • -15.9% vs the national average
  • +12.5% estimated-basis panel FY2019→FY2023 (balanced cohort, not the FTE average above)
  • #28 of 49 purchasing-power-adjusted (BEA RPP 91.0)

Montana sits in the lower third for estimated pay

Across 140 reliable-salary districts, the average estimate is $59,058: #36 of 49 jurisdictions with a reliable district estimate, and 15.9% below the national benchmark of $70,245.

The rank compares the same F-33-derived district measure nationwide. It does not include benefits, experience steps, taxes, or local living costs; use it as a relative state placement rather than an exact paycheck.

Montana purchasing-power check on lower-third pay

Montana's nominal average teacher salary ranks #36 of the 49 states and territories that report teacher salaries. Adjusted by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis's 2023 Regional Price Parity (91.0, US = 100, a relative state-level price-level index, not a district or metro cost-of-living figure), the estimate becomes $73,912, ranking #28 of 49 , 8 places higher than the nominal rank once relative price levels are factored in. This purchasing-power view is not published by NEA's teacher-pay rankings or the aggregator sites; it comes from combining our own F-33-derived salary estimate with BEA's public RPP series. See the full 51-state release for methodology and download. BEA Regional Price Parities · NCES CCD F-33

Montana in the teacher-salary distribution

FY2023 estimated state averages from the same NCES-derived ranking

$59,058 27th percentile higher than 27% of 49 reporting states and territories

Show national distribution $0–$5,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $5,000–$10,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $10,000–$15,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $15,000–$20,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $20,000–$25,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$30,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $30,000–$35,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $35,000–$40,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Below this entry. $40,000–$45,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Below this entry. $45,000–$50,000: 2 reporting states and territories (4%). Below this entry. $50,000–$55,000: 6 reporting states and territories (12%). Below this entry. $55,000–$60,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). This entry sits in this band. $60,000–$65,000: 9 reporting states and territories (18%). Above this entry. $65,000–$70,000: 7 reporting states and territories (14%). Above this entry. $70,000–$75,000: 2 reporting states and territories (4%). Above this entry. $75,000–$80,000: 4 reporting states and territories (8%). Above this entry. $80,000–$85,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Above this entry. $85,000–$90,000: 5 reporting states and territories (10%). Above this entry. $90,000–$95,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. $95,000–$100,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $100,000–$105,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $105,000–$110,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $110,000–$115,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. $115,000–$120,000: 0 reporting states and territories (0%). Above this entry. $120,000–$125,000: 1 reporting states and territories (2%). Above this entry. Montana $0 $125,000 reporting state salary estimates, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $5K-wide band; taller bars hold more reporting states and territories. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey; state estimates derived from reported instructional-salary expenditure and teacher FTE · FY2023

Montana's comparable salary trend

Same reporting-district cohort, FY2019-FY2023

FY2023 estimated average
$69,108 12.51956884659947% vs FY2019
270 districts held in the panel
$60,000$65,000$70,000 FY2019FY2020FY2021FY2022FY2023 Montana est. avg teacher salary, FY2019: $61,419Montana est. avg teacher salary, FY2020: $63,169Montana est. avg teacher salary, FY2021: $66,294Montana est. avg teacher salary, FY2022: $68,173Montana est. avg teacher salary, FY2023: $69,108 $61,419 $69,108 ▲ +12.5%
Read the chart as text
Period Montana est. avg teacher salary
FY2019 $61,419
FY2020 $63,169
FY2021 $66,294
FY2022 $68,173
FY2023 $69,108

Highest-paying districts in Montana

Estimated average teacher salary, enrolling districts (200+ students)

Est. avg salary

What this shows Helena H S leads Montana on the F-33 instructional-salary estimate. Service entities (CTCs, county offices) are excluded, their enrollment-based ratios are not reliable salary figures.

Source NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey, FY2023 As of FY2023

Top 3 districts

1 $104,507

Helena H S

Est. avg teacher salary
2 $101,335

Butte H S

Est. avg teacher salary
3 $85,560

Whitefish H S

Est. avg teacher salary

Districts by Estimated Teacher Salary

District Est. Avg Salary Enrollment Per-Pupil Exp
Helena H S $104,507 2,514 $13,679
Butte H S $101,335 1,317 $17,296
Whitefish H S $85,560 581 $15,055
Whitefish Elem $84,945 1,313 $13,388
Helena Elem $84,367 5,225 $14,562
Evergreen Elem $84,090 651 $19,845
Missoula H S $82,523 3,966 $14,488
Bozeman H S $78,274 2,631 $16,217
Kalispell Elem $77,722 3,095 $13,715
Bozeman Elem $76,358 4,651 $11,603
Flathead H S $75,582 3,101 $13,752
Rocky Boy Elem $75,498 486 $23,041
Missoula Elem $75,389 5,280 $14,418
Polson Elem $74,666 1,173 $14,134
Billings Elem $74,295 10,988 $12,841
Great Falls Elem $74,078 7,032 $13,615
Arlee Elem $73,298 270 $23,359
Columbus H S $73,015 244 $15,447
Poplar Elem $73,007 596 $24,676
Billings H S $72,621 5,610 $12,896
Anaconda Elem $72,424 740 $18,778
Harlem Elem $71,547 467 $17,158
Box Elder Elem $71,221 303 $22,119
Columbia Falls H S $70,683 687 $13,837
Lame Deer Elem $70,668 382 $22,267
Baker K-12 Schools $70,356 451 $20,632
Beaverhead County H S $69,966 339 $20,333
Fergus H S $67,451 356 $14,399
Butte Elem $67,248 2,966 $12,307
Big Timber Elem $67,200 318 $11,368
Huntley Project K-12 Schools $67,164 773 $18,254
Great Falls H S $65,774 3,095 $12,605
Eureka Elem $65,154 497 $17,091
Glendive Elem $64,581 782 $15,127
Hays-Lodge Pole K-12 Schls $64,311 248 $33,145
Boulder Elem $64,276 218 $16,812
Belgrade Elem $64,111 2,374 $15,634
Laurel H S $63,813 619 $12,922
Ronan Elem $63,744 1,105 $13,843
Independent Elem $63,448 297 $11,034
Troy Elem $63,394 283 $19,668
Polson H S $63,226 524 $15,094
Browning Elem $62,901 1,266 $24,507
Target Range Elem $62,787 574 $10,871
Columbia Falls Elem $62,457 1,562 $20,202
Dillon Elem $62,333 780 $11,681
Jefferson H S $62,313 284 $24,116
Hardin Elem $62,182 1,284 $21,442
Stevensville H S $62,013 349 $18,842
Libby K-12 Schools $61,908 1,164 $13,863
Laurel Elem $61,853 1,272 $13,976
Colstrip Elem $61,402 366 $19,995
Lodge Grass Elem $61,019 274 $21,252
Havre H S $60,990 531 $14,273
Anderson Elem $60,759 209 $14,033
Hellgate Elem $60,039 1,498 $12,206
Hamilton K-12 Schools $59,851 1,666 $12,661
Havre Elem $59,771 1,199 $14,584
Wolf Point Elem $59,729 511 $18,213
Bigfork H S $59,615 354 $16,333
Sidney H S $59,580 387 $17,884
West Valley Elem $59,550 762 $10,491
Monforton Elem $59,000 669 $10,535
Bigfork Elem $58,811 610 $11,536
Belgrade H S $58,705 994 $12,461
Lewistown Elem $58,291 888 $29,295
Cut Bank H S $58,274 227 $17,581
Thompson Falls H S $57,882 201 $15,532
Deer Lodge Elem $57,613 426 $12,962
Sidney Elem $57,193 856 $12,141
Cut Bank Elem $56,837 551 $15,105
Corvallis K-12 Schools $56,714 1,342 $11,378
West Yellowstone K-12 $56,711 287 $14,669
Lockwood K-12 $56,644 1,718 $13,317
Florence-Carlton K-12 Schls $56,501 790 $13,746
Bonner Elem $56,393 356 $16,258
Montana City Elem $56,221 475 $11,213
Conrad Elem $56,014 342 $14,754
Poplar H S $55,931 276 $18,543
Three Forks H S $55,758 278 $35,568
Columbus Elem $55,475 469 $14,098
Forsyth Elem $55,415 202 $16,010
Hardin H S $54,827 512 $16,148
Three Forks Elem $54,754 523 $20,532
Ronan H S $54,727 416 $13,767
Red Lodge Elem $54,420 328 $12,854
Scobey K-12 Schools $53,952 286 $16,080
St Ignatius K-12 Schools $53,864 480 $19,685
Custer County H S $53,808 495 $13,158
Superior K-12 Schools $53,728 324 $16,247
Townsend K-12 Schools $53,691 706 $22,429
Lolo Elem $53,377 507 $49,777
Belt Elem $53,264 271 $12,476
Somers Elem $52,956 555 $11,879
Whitehall Elem $52,527 328 $13,674
East Helena K-12 $52,307 1,952 $11,155
Manhattan School $51,695 483 $11,884
Chinook Elem $51,606 228 $15,469
Manhattan High School $51,487 239 $16,824
Malta K-12 Schools $51,242 519 $15,759

Showing 1–100 of 140 enrolling districts. Specialized non-enrolling agencies (career/technical centers, county offices, service co-ops) are excluded from the salary ranking, their enrollment-based estimates are not reliable.

Lowest-Paying Districts in Montana

District Est. Avg Salary Enrollment
Fort Benton Elem $32,982 249
Harlowton K-12 $40,075 258
Park H S $40,463 418
Lone Rock Elem $40,907 254
Victor K-12 Schools $41,102 236
Canyon Creek Elem $41,699 234
Stevensville Elem $42,329 656
Livingston Elem $42,701 837
Lincoln County H S $42,794 306
Wolf Point H S $43,068 225

Among enrolling districts (200+ students) with a reliable estimate; service entities excluded, see methodology.

Nationwide peers near Montana's smaller K-12 scale

Two nationwide peer sets for Montana: closest on estimated average teacher salary ($59,058 here) and closest on total student enrollment (149,179 here). Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not geographic containment.

Similar estimated salary

Nearest other states by unweighted district-mean teacher pay (F-33 derived, ≥5 districts with reliable estimates).

Similar enrollment

Nearest other states by NCES-reported K-12 enrollment. Salary peers above are excluded.

Compare Nearby-Ranked States

Virginia
$63,048
Rank #33
Maine
$62,872
Rank #34
Georgia
$61,790
Rank #35
Kansas
$58,516
Rank #37

Data: NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey + Staff Universe Survey, FY2023. Salary figures divide instructional expenditure (variable Z33) by each district's reported teacher FTE, or an estimated FTE for the small minority with no reported figure. Not individual salary data. Read our methodology.

Montana teacher salary FAQ

What is the average teacher salary in Montana?

Across 140 Montana public school districts with reliable data, the average teacher salary is $59,058 (NCES CCD F-33 reported teacher salaries divided by CCD Staff Universe Survey teacher headcounts, FY2023). It is a district-level mean derived from finance filings, so it will not match a contract-salary survey exactly, read it as a relative comparison.

Which Montana school district pays teachers the most?

Helena H S reports the highest average teacher salary in Montana at $104,507, while Fort Benton Elem sits at the lower end at $32,982.

How does Montana teacher pay compare to the national average?

Montana's average of $59,058 is materially below the national average of $70,245 (-15.9%), ranking #36 of the 49 jurisdictions with a reliable district estimate.

How many school districts are in Montana?

Montana has 317 public school districts in the NCES CCD F-33 Finance Survey, together serving 149,179 students.

How much do teachers make in Montana?

District-average teacher pay in Montana runs from $32,982 in Fort Benton Elem to $104,507 in Helena H S, with 2 of 140 reliable-data districts at $100,000 or above. Where a teacher lands depends far more on which district employs them than on the statewide figure. These are district-wide averages from NCES CCD F-33 (FY2023), not individual salaries or pay-scale steps.

Can teachers earn $100,000 in Montana?

2 of 140 Montana districts with reliable data report an estimated average teacher salary of $100,000 or more, led by Helena H S at $104,507. This is a district-wide average, not an individual salary, step, or years-of-experience figure.

How does Montana rank after adjusting for cost of living?

Within the separate enrollment-weighted state comparison, BEA's 2023 Regional Price Parity (91.0, US=100) adjusts Montana's nominal estimate of $67,270 from #33 to $73,912 and #28. The headline uses an unweighted district mean, so this does not replace it. Neither measure is take-home pay, taxes, or district/metro cost of living.

Explore Montana

Disclaimer & data sources

Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainTeacher for Montana