How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in Montana?

BLS puts the average Mechanical Engineer pay in Montana at $98,660 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Montana, after federal taxes, FICA, and Montana state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $74,024 annually ($6,169/month).

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

On a $98,660 salary in Montana, your take-home pay is approximately $74,024/year or $6,169/month. Federal tax: $12,875. State tax: $4,213. FICA: $7,547.

Is $98,660 a good Mechanical Engineer salary?

$98,660 is the BLS average Mechanical Engineer pay in Montana, 13% below the US average of $113,610 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Montana earn between $79,240 and $119,820.

How do Montana taxes affect Mechanical Engineer salaries?

Montana levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $98,660 is $4,213. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 25.0%.

What are the career growth prospects for Mechanical Engineers?

In Montana, the top 10% earn over $133,270 and the bottom 10% under $65,820 (BLS, May 2025). 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)

Average Mechanical Engineer pay in Montana

$98,660/year

≈ $47/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $79,240–$119,820

US average: $113,610

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$74,024/year

$6,169/month · effective tax rate 24.97%

Federal $12,875
State $4,213
FICA $7,547
Take-home

Pay by role in Montana

Senior / Principal ME (any industry) / Senior / Principal MEBLS · 75th–90th percentile$119,820–$133,270
Engineering ManagerBLS · middle 50%$122,110–$176,400
Mechanical Engineer (any industry)BLS · middle 50%$79,240–$119,820
EIT / Entry-Level MEBLS · 10th–25th percentile$65,820–$79,240

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$74,024
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$6,169
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,847
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$36/hr
Federal Tax	$12,875
State Tax	$4,213
FICA Taxes	$7,547
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	24.97%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

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 / Principal ME (any industry) / Senior / Principal ME

$119,820–$133,270

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

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · Montana · 75th–90th percentile

Engineering Manager

$122,110–$176,400

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

Source: BLS May 2025 · Architectural and Engineering Managers · Montana · middle 50%

Mechanical Engineer (any industry)

$79,240–$119,820

Functional ME at MT major employers · transitioning to senior band

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · Montana · middle 50%

EIT / Entry-Level ME

$65,820–$79,240

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

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · Montana · 10th–25th percentile

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 top 5.65% + MT is NOT a RTW state + MT 0% sales tax anchor the MT ME proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Mechanical Engineers in Montana and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Montana 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers