Salary & Cost of Living in Butte, MT
Butte, MT: $35,744 median salary, cost of living index 88.5, $10.30/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$35,744
$17/hr
Cost of Living
88.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$10.30
per hour
Unemployment
3.4%
rate
Butte, MT Overview
Population
34,533
Median Salary
$35,744
Average Salary
$40,033
Avg Commute
19 min
Median Home Price
$195,000
Median Rent
$797/mo
Job Growth
+2%
Sales Tax
0%
Butte is located in Montana with a population of 34,533. The median household salary is $35,744 per year ($17/hour), which is $23,640 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 19 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2%.
Butte Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Butte, MT based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $35,744 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $22,161 | $10.65/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $35,744 | $17.18/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $50,756 | $24.40/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $63,624 | $30.58/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Butte Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Butte, MT, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$28,650
$2,387.49/month · $1,101.92/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.8%
Gross Pay
$35,744
Federal Tax
-$2,251
State Tax
-$2,109
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$2,734
Net Pay
$28,650
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $2,978.67 | $35,744.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$187.56 | -$2,250.78 |
| Montana State Tax (5.9%) | -$175.74 | -$2,108.90 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$184.68 | -$2,216.13 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$43.19 | -$518.29 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $2,387.49 | $28,649.91 |
Salary Comparison: Butte vs Other Cities
See how Butte's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butte, MT | $35,744 | 88.5 | $40,389 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Phenix City, AL | $35,746 | 82.8 | $43,171 |
| Hinesville, GA | $35,742 | 83.5 | $42,805 |
| Tupelo, MS | $35,748 | 84.5 | $42,305 |
| Florence, AL | $35,751 | 83.5 | $42,816 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Butte
Butte's cost of living index is 88.5 (national average = 100). Living in Butte is 11.5% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$195,000
Median Monthly Rent
$797
Annual Rent Cost
$9,564
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $28,650 annual take-home pay in Butte has the purchasing power of approximately $32,373 in an average-cost US area. Your $35,744 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Butte
Butte's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $35,744.
Salary Tips for Butte Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Butte has a cost of living 11.5% below the national average. A salary of $35,744 here has the purchasing power of about $40,389 in an average-cost area.
- Maximize pre-tax deductions. With a 5.9% state income tax rate, maximizing 401(k) contributions (up to $24,500 in 2026) and HSA contributions can significantly reduce both your federal and state tax burden.
- Research top industries. Butte's top industries include Agriculture, Mining, Tourism. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $35,744 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Butte salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Butte-MT metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Butte indexed at 88.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Butte's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $35,744 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Montana state income tax (5.9%) (no local income tax), sales tax (0%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Butte: 3.4%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Agriculture, Mining, Tourism — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Montana.
- Housing context: median home price $195,000, median rent $797/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Butte, MT:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Butte unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Butte QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Montana — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Butte's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Montana labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Butte, MT?
The median salary in Butte, MT is $35,744 per year, or $17 per hour. The average salary is $40,033. This is $23,640 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Butte, MT?
Butte's cost of living index is 88.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 11.5% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $195,000 and the median monthly rent is $797.
What are the best industries in Butte?
The top industries in Butte, MT include Agriculture, Mining, Tourism. The city has a job growth rate of 2% and an unemployment rate of 3.4%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $35,744.
How does Butte's salary compare to other cities?
Butte's median salary of $35,744 is 39.8% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 88.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $40,389.
What is the minimum wage in Butte, MT?
The minimum wage in Butte, MT is $10.30 per hour. This equals approximately $21,424 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $3.05 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.