Salaries in Great Falls, MT

Here’s a place where the paychecks stretch further than you’d expect. Great Falls, Montana, with a population just over 60,000, has a cost of living index of 92.6—about 7.5% cheaper than the national average. That might not sound like a lot, but it changes the math on everything, especially your rent, which averages a shockingly low $745 for a one-bedroom.

So how does that COL index translate to your bank account? If you’re earning the city’s median household income of $63,934, your purchasing power feels more like $69,000 nationally. It’s not a fortune, but it buys you a different life here. A software developer making $124,434 sees their paycheck stretch to feel like they’re earning $134,378 in a typical U.S. city. That’s the core of the Great Falls financial proposition: you don’t have to earn a coastal salary to live comfortably.

Who’s actually thriving here? The job market is tight, with unemployment at just 2.6%. The city is anchored by the Malmstrom Air Force Base and a healthcare sector dominated by benefits-heavy employers like the Great Falls Clinic. This means stable, often well-paying jobs in defense, healthcare, and construction management. I was a bit surprised to see marketing managers pulling in a top salary of $154,120; it suggests there’s a robust local business scene for those with the right skills.

But here’s the honest catch: wages aren’t exploding. The average salary across all roles is $68,753 (or $74,247 adjusted). It’s a solid living, especially for a city this size, but it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. This city works best for skilled professionals in high-demand fields—like the pharmacists and project managers on this list—or for remote workers bringing in outside dollars.

The data below breaks down exactly who earns what and how far your money goes.