Accountant Salary in Missoula, MT: $74,823 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Missoula, MT earns a median $74,823/year (≈ $35.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Missoula's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $77,581 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an accountant in Missoula, Montana, is projected to earn a median annual salary of $74,823, which reflects a notable gap when compared to the national median of $85,864. Salary figures in this region range from $49,109 at the 10th percentile to $116,986 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the variable pay that depends on experience, specialization, and the type of employer. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they provide a significant context when evaluating accounting roles in Missoula. The structural divide between entry-level positions at Big 4 firms and higher-tier corporate roles influences salary growth, with many emerging accountants moving within five years to industry roles where pay differentiation can be stark.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,109 | $23.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,386 | $29.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,823 | $35.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,046 | $43.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,986 | $56.24 |
Median Salary Position
12.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Missoula
In Missoula, MT, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,877 (2026 est.). At $74,823, the local median is 12.86% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Missoula: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Missoula Accountant Pay Compares
Missoula median: $74,823/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Missoula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $77,779 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -12.86% less |
Accountants in Missoula, MT earn a median of $74,823 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.86% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.80% below the Montana state average of $77,779.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Missoula has a cost of living 3.56% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Missoula, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.445 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $74,823 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,581 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,200
2025 BLS Actual
$72,920
2026 Current Est.
$74,823
2019–2027 Growth
+23.4%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,200 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,823 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,776 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missoula metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.2% from $62,200 (2019) to $72,920 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,776 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,576 (23.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missoula 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) | $49,109 – $60,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,386 – $74,823 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,823 – $91,046 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,046 – $116,986 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Missoula
The job market for accountants in Missoula currently employs around 600 professionals, offering a competitive landscape despite the lower-than-national average pay. The cost of living in Missoula, with a CoL index of 96.445, indicates that despite lower wages compared to national counterparts, accountants in the area experience a favorable purchasing power relative to their earnings. Among the highest-paying employers are the Big 4 public accounting firms, though regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments present viable pathways as well. The spread in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as the possession of a CPA license, specialization in tax or valuation, and the varying compensation structures associated with public firms versus industry roles. To maximize potential earnings, aspiring accountants should focus on gaining diverse experiences during busy seasons and consider certifications that enhance marketability.
More salary data for Missoula, 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 $72,920 for accountantsin the Missoula 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