How much does a Pilot make in Montana?

The average Pilot salary in Montana is around $219,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and Montana state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $150,775 annually ($12,565/month).

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

On a $219,000 salary in Montana, your take-home pay is approximately $150,775/year or $12,565/month. Federal tax: $41,384. State tax: $12,056. FICA: $0.00.

Is $219,000 a good Pilot salary?

$219,000 is a strong salary for a Pilot — above the national median. In Montana, demand for this role is active.

How do Montana taxes affect Pilot salaries?

Montana levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $219,000 is $12,056. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 31.2%.

What are the career growth prospects for Pilots?

4% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average). Related roles include: Airline Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Captain, First Officer, Corporate Pilot, Cargo Pilot.

How can a Pilot 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.

Transportation

Pilot Salary in Montana (2026)

The average Pilot in Montana earns around $219,000/year. After taxes, your estimated take-home is $150,775/year ($12,565/month).

Take-Home Pay Breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$150,775
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$12,565
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$5,799
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$72/hr
Federal Tax	$41,384
State Tax	$12,056
FICA Taxes	$14,786
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	31.15%

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 →

Got a year-end bonus, sign-on, or retention payout? See the bonus calculator →

Working overtime? The 2025 OBBBA deduction may save you up to $12,500 on federal tax. Open the No Tax on Overtime calculator →

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Pilot Salary Ranges in Montana

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$100,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$219,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$380,000

/year

See tax breakdown →

Not all Pilots earn the same — not even close

Montana's pilot market is anchored by Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport BZN (the substantial post-2020 BZN substantial growth + Delta + American + United + Alaska + Southwest + Allegiant BZN service), Montana Air National Guard 120th Airlift Wing Great Falls (C-130H Hercules + post-2017 120th AW C-130H transition), Montana Army National Guard 1-189th Aviation Regiment Helena (UH-60 Black Hawk + AH-64 Apache), Malmstrom Air Force Base Great Falls (~3.5K + 341st Missile Wing + Malmstrom UH-1N Huey legacy), the substantial MT corporate aviation (Big Sky Yellowstone Club + Whitefish + the substantial MT UHNW private jet), the substantial MT medevac (Billings Clinic LifeFlight + Logan Health AirCare + Mercy Flight Northwest MT), the substantial MT agricultural aviation crop dusting + the substantial Yellowstone + Glacier NPS aerial firefighting + the substantial Missoula Smokejumper aerial fire response.

Senior Captain (Delta / American BZN commute)

$215,000–$385,000+ bonus

Senior mainline captain commuting from BZN · narrowbody + widebody + flow-up

Senior Captain (MT ANG 120th AW C-130)

$118,000–$185,000+ bonus

120th Airlift Wing Great Falls C-130H · cleared + ANG + post-2017 transition

Senior Captain (Regional / SkyWest / Envoy)

$135,000–$215,000+ bonus

SkyWest + Envoy + GoJet regional captain · transitioning to mainline + BZN commute

Senior First Officer (Delta BZN commute)

$165,000–$255,000+ bonus

Senior mainline first officer · narrowbody + widebody · transitioning to captain

Senior FO (Regional)

$85,000–$145,000+ bonus

Regional FO at SkyWest + Envoy + GoJet · transitioning to captain

Senior Corporate Pilot (Big Sky / Yellowstone Club UHNW)

$175,000–$315,000+ benefits

Corporate pilot · the substantial Big Sky + Yellowstone Club + Whitefish UHNW private jet

Senior Medevac Pilot

$118,000–$185,000+ flight pay

Billings Clinic LifeFlight + Logan AirCare + Mercy Flight Northwest medevac

Senior Aerial Firefighting Pilot

$108,000–$185,000+ hazard

Missoula Aerial Fire Depot Smokejumper + Yellowstone + Glacier NPS aerial firefighting

Senior Ag Aviation Pilot

$78,000–$135,000+ flight pay

MT crop dusting · the substantial MT agricultural aviation + Eastern MT

New Pilot (CFI / Flight Instructor)

$42,000–$58,000+ hours

New CFI + flight instructor · building hours at BZN + Helena + Bozeman flight schools

Worth knowing: Big Sky + Yellowstone Club + Whitefish UHNW corporate aviation + Missoula Aerial Fire Depot Smokejumper is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state UHNW corporate aviation + aerial firefighting pilot anchor and a feature most national pilot surveys understate for MT. The substantial MT UHNW corporate aviation (Big Sky Resort + Yellowstone Club private ski resort with $20M+ minimum membership + ~2.5K Yellowstone Club members + the substantial Whitefish Mountain Resort + Bridger Bowl + the substantial post-2020 Big Sky + Whitefish + Bozeman + Kalispell + Flathead Lake UHNW migration driving substantial MT private jet + corporate aviation demand + the substantial Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport private aviation terminal growth + the substantial MT private aviation market) supports distinctive MT corporate pilot work. Senior MT corporate pilots clear $175-315K+ benefits. The substantial Missoula Aerial Fire Depot one of the country's earliest US smokejumper bases founded 1939 + the substantial post-2024 Missoula Smokejumper substantial MT wildfire surge response + the substantial Yellowstone + Glacier NPS aerial firefighting + the substantial Northern Rockies aerial firefighting. MT ANG 120th Airlift Wing Great Falls C-130H + MT Army NG 1-189th Aviation Helena UH-60 + AH-64 + Malmstrom + Billings Clinic LifeFlight + Logan AirCare + Mercy Flight Northwest medevac + MT agricultural aviation. MT flat 5.9% + MT 0% sales tax anchor the MT pilot proposition.