How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Montana?

The average Mechanical Engineer salary in Montana is around $130,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Montana state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $93,317 annually ($7,776/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in Montana?

On a $130,000 salary in Montana, your take-home pay is approximately $93,317/year or $7,776/month. Federal tax: $19,934. State tax: $6,805. FICA: $0.00.

Is $130,000 a good Mechanical Engineer salary?

$130,000 is a strong salary for a Mechanical Engineer — above the national median. In Montana, demand for this role is active.

How do Montana taxes affect Mechanical Engineer salaries?

Montana levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $130,000 is $6,805. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 28.2%.

What are the career growth prospects for Mechanical Engineers?

10% growth through 2032 (faster than average); EV/aerospace/defense subspecialties growing faster, manufacturing slower. Related roles include: Aerospace Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Design Engineer, Thermal Engineer, Test Engineer, Project Engineer, Principal Mechanical Engineer, PE Mechanical.

How can a Mechanical Engineer in Montana reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Engineering

Mechanical Engineer Salary in Montana (2026)

The average Mechanical Engineer in Montana earns around $130,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $93,317/year ($7,776/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$93,317
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$7,776
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$3,589
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$45/hr
Federal Tax	$19,934
State Tax	$6,805
FICA Taxes	$9,945
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	28.22%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Key terms:·

Mechanical Engineer Salary Ranges in Montana

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$85,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$130,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$250,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all Mechanical Engineers earn the same — not even close

Montana's mechanical engineering market is anchored by Malmstrom Air Force Base Great Falls (~3.5K + 341st Missile Wing Minuteman III + post-2024 LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM mechanical sustainment), Stillwater Mining Nye + Big Timber + Columbus Smelter (Sibanye-Stillwater PGM mining equipment ME + smelter ME), NorthWestern Energy MT (the substantial post-2024 MT wind buildout + grid mechanical + Colstrip coal + Yellowstone hydropower), Montana Tech Butte (the substantial MT Tech founded 1900 + the substantial MT Tech Mining Engineering + Petroleum Engineering + Mechanical Engineering as the substantial MT Tech program), Montana State University Bozeman (MSU College of Engineering), the substantial MT industrial (Smurfit-Stone Container legacy + Plum Creek Timber → Weyerhaeuser MT + Stoltze Land & Lumber Columbia Falls), Boeing MT operations + Northrop Grumman Helena small cleared defense, plus UM + Carroll Engineering pipelines.

Senior ME (Cleared / Malmstrom Sentinel)

$108,000–$165,000+ TC

Malmstrom 341st MW + post-2024 Sentinel · cleared ICBM mechanical sustainment

Senior ME (Stillwater Mining / Smelter)

$98,000–$148,000+ bonus

Stillwater Mining Nye + Big Timber + Columbus Smelter · PGM mining + smelter ME

Senior ME (NorthWestern Energy / Wind)

$92,000–$142,000+ bonus

NorthWestern Energy · post-2024 MT wind buildout + grid + Colstrip coal + hydropower ME

Senior ME (MT Tech Faculty / Research)

$88,000–$132,000+ bonus

MT Tech Butte Mining + Petroleum + Mechanical Engineering faculty + research

Senior ME (Boeing MT / Northrop Helena)

$105,000–$158,000+ TC

Boeing MT + Northrop Grumman Helena · cleared aerospace + the substantial MT cleared defense

Senior ME (Lumber / Plum Creek Weyerhaeuser MT)

$82,000–$125,000+ bonus

Plum Creek Timber → Weyerhaeuser MT + Stoltze Land & Lumber Columbia Falls

Senior ME (Wind Technician / O&M)

$75,000–$115,000+ OT

MT wind farm O&M · the substantial post-2024 MT wind buildout

ME Manager

$108,000–$162,000+ TC

ME team lead at Malmstrom + Stillwater + NorthWestern + MT Tech + Boeing MT

Mid-Level ME (3-6 yrs)

$62,000–$92,000

Functional ME at MT major employers · transitioning to senior band

Junior ME (0-3 yrs)

$52,000–$72,000

MSU + MT Tech + UM + Carroll Engineering pipeline · entry band

Worth knowing: Stillwater Mining + the only US platinum group metals PGM mine + smelter is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state PGM mining + smelting ME anchor and a feature most national ME surveys understate for MT. Stillwater Mining (the substantial Stillwater Mining the only US producer of platinum + palladium + the substantial post-2017 Sibanye-Stillwater $2.2B acquisition + the substantial Stillwater Nye mine + Stillwater East Boulder mine + Stillwater Smelter Columbus + the substantial Stillwater Mining post-2020 PGM production amid auto catalyst demand + the substantial Stillwater Mining ~1.2K Montana employees + the substantial Stillwater Mining USW collective bargaining + the substantial Stillwater Columbus Smelter substantial flash converting furnace mechanical + the substantial Stillwater Hertzler concentrator + the substantial post-2024 Stillwater capacity adjustments amid PGM price decline) supports substantial MT mining + smelter ME. Senior Stillwater MEs clear $98-148K+ bonus. Malmstrom Air Force Base + post-2024 Sentinel ICBM mechanical sustainment + NorthWestern Energy MT wind buildout + Colstrip coal + Yellowstone hydropower + MT Tech Butte Mining + Petroleum + Mechanical Engineering faculty + Boeing MT + Northrop Grumman Helena + Plum Creek → Weyerhaeuser MT timber. MT flat 5.9% + MT is NOT a RTW state + MT 0% sales tax anchor the MT ME proposition.