Accountant Salary in Billings, MT: $77,758 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Billings, MT earns a median $77,758/year (≈ $37.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $83,141 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the accountant salary in Billings, Montana, is projected to reach a median of $77,758. This figure represents a growing opportunity for accountants in the area, with salaries ranging from $48,801 at the lower end to $126,826 for those at the highest levels of the profession. The compensation statistics are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and suggest a competitive salary environment despite being approximately 9.44% lower than the national median of $85,864. Given the increasing demand for skilled accountants in Billings and the public-to-industry transition many professionals make, the job market is poised for steady growth, estimated at an annual rate of 2.61% over the next five years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,801 | $23.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,721 | $30.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,758 | $37.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,424 | $48.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,826 | $60.97 |
Median Salary Position
9.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,025 (2026 est.). At $77,758, the local median is 9.44% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Billings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Billings Accountant Pay Compares
Billings median: $77,758/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $85,864 | -9.44% less |
Accountants in Billings, MT earn a median of $77,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.44% lower than the national median of $85,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $77,758 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,141 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,460
2025 BLS Actual
$75,780
2026 Current Est.
$77,758
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,190 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,758 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,787 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 19.4% from $63,460 (2019) to $75,780 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,787 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,327 (25.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $48,801 – $63,721 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,721 – $77,758 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,758 – $100,424 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,424 – $126,826 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Billings
The local job market for accountants in Billings includes around 790 professionals, offering a robust network for career development. The cost of living index stands at 93.526, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of accountant pay in Billings, MT. Among various employers, mid-tier CPA firms and corporate accounting departments tend to offer competitive salaries, often outpacing local boutique firms and small CPA practices. The disparity between entry-level and senior positions can be driven by factors such as CPA licensure requirements and the prestige associated with larger public accounting firms, where busy-season overtime significantly boosts earnings. For those looking to maximize their pay, gaining experience in the Big 4 and honing specialized skills like tax or forensic accounting can be advantageous, presenting opportunities for higher remuneration as professionals transition from public roles to industry positions.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA
Career Analyst
Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $75,780 for accountantsin the Billings metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov