Accredited Schools & Colleges in Montana

Montana College Guide – What You Need to Know

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Best Colleges & Universities in Montana

Montana is a state of great big skies and great colleges and universities. Despite a sparse population, there are colleges and universities to suit any academic need. You can study at a major research university or a smaller liberal arts college, and anything in-between. Since Montana is part of the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE), you can even attend public colleges and universities in other cooperating states without incurring out-of-state tuition. If you only consider the addition of Washington State and California, you're already including a huge number of extra opportunities. Even if Montana does not currently support your academic goals, being a Montanan allows you access to absolutely any major or concentration you can think of.

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What are the most popular bachelor's degrees offered in Montana?

Montana's most popular bachelor's degrees track pretty well with what students are demanding elsewhere in the United States' economy. You can see a definite Montanan flavor, though, when you consider that Land Use Planning is an area of intense study for the state's students. The state's students are also interested in Health Sciences, communication, and business, all of which are ably covered by universities in the state.

Not only are the most popular majors available, however. Montana colleges and universities offer a broad spectrum for eager minds. Seek out the field of study that speaks to you the strongest. Even if you don't see a clear career path stemming from a degree, remember that people rarely end up with careers that directly reflect their majors. Here are Montana's top five majors:

The top degrees in Montana include:

How Much Can You Make by Having a Degree in Montana

NO FORMAL EDUCATION HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA ASSOCIATE DEGREE BACHELOR’S DEGREE MASTER’S DEGREE DOCTORAL DEGREE
$27,040* $37,024* $43,472* $60,996* $72,852* $90,636*
*National Average Earnings by Degree Level
delaware-National-Average-earning-by-educational-attainment

Most Popular Degrees and Top Careers in Montana

Montana's economy is on solid ground. Its unemployment is currently tracking evenly with the national average at 3.7%, and the outlook is good. Montana is ripe for growth in technology, tourism, agriculture, and natural resource extraction. The state is putting resources towards innovation, including entrepreneurial training programs, expanding financing opportunities, and more.

Top Business Careers and Salaries

Career Name Number of Jobs AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Cost Estimators 1,000 $58,900
Sales Managers 200 $121,200
Industrial and Production Managers 100 $116,700
Logistician 100 $66,500
Construction Managers 600 $94,300

  • Cost Estimators:
    Before any major construction project can break ground, there must be a budget that covers the materials, permits, insurance, and labor costs. Your job will be to aggregate all of those costs and create an overall estimated cost.

  • Sales Managers:
    After you have established a strong sales practice you might decide to move into sales management. You will train and motivate a sales team to produce numbers that exceed expectations quarter after quarter.

  • Industrial and Production Managers:
    As Montana continues to grow, demand for experts in manufacturing and production will be in demand. You might consider a minor in industrial engineering to inform your managerial acumen.

  • Logistician:
    Sometimes called Supply Chain Managers, this field is increasingly important, especially in Montana where you’ll have to import or export goods over very large distances, often in inclement weather.

  • Construction Managers:
    This profession will find you working with engineers, architects, and laborers on a daily basis. You should have a firm grasp of construction budgets, leadership, and all the details that are involved in constructing a new building.

Best Montana Schools for Business

  • University of Montana
  • Montana State
  • Carroll College
  • Great Falls College Montana State University

Top Health Sciences Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Occupational Therapist 300 $77,100
Physical Therapist 1,000 $78,100
Radiology Technician 800 $54,400
Registered Nurse 10,100 $66,300
Nurse Practitioner 500 $97,500

  • Occupational Therapist:
    Despite what you might think, the role of an Occupational Therapist is not to help people overcome their fear of work. Rather, they help people overcome a wide range of difficulties so that they can live their best lives. This can include surmounting dementia or mental illness and recovery from disease or injury.

  • Physical Therapist:
    Mobility is the key word to you as a Physical Therapist. PTs help people recover from injury, stroke, and illness. You might help a person develop their abilities with crutches, a walker, or a wheelchair. You might also help someone re-learn how to walk or use their hands after a stroke.

  • Radiology Technician:
    As a Radiology Technician, doctors will rely on your work to make proper diagnoses. You will take pictures of people's bones and organs using MRIs, CT scans, and PET scanners, among other diagnostic tools. With your help, doctors can provide early diagnosis and save lives.

  • Registered Nurse:
    RNs are the backbone of any hospital. When you complete your RN training, you will find that it's a very diversified field, where you can work with a wide range of patients. Every day will offer great challenges and rewards, too.

  • Nurse Practitioner:
    To help meet the growing demand for healthcare, Nurse Practitioners have arisen to take on many of the duties doctors fulfill. You will be able to do many of the things doctors do, including diagnose illness and prescribe medications. However, you will be operating under the license of an MD, which will somewhat limit your pay, but alleviates you of ultimate responsibility.

Best Montana Schools for Health Sciences

  • Carrol College
  • Montana State University – Bozeman
  • University of Montana
  • Great Falls College – Montana State University

Top Land Use Planning and Management/Development Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Conservation Scientist 600 $60,100
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians 200 $56,600
Forest and Conservation Workers 60 $31,000
Urban and Regional Planner 150 $55,400
Civil Engineering Technician 300 $45,900

  • Conservation Scientist:
    In this position, you will manage and protect state parks, national forests, and local preserves. In Montana, you might also find work on one of the state's huge ranches.

  • Environmental Science and Protection Technicians:
    This vital field finds you protecting the natural world from chemical contamination. Not only will you protect remote ecologic areas, but you will help protect the public health by ensuring that the water table is pure. For instance, you might work on issues related to Butte's Berkeley Pit, whose heavy metals may one day seep back into the groundwater.

  • Forest and Conservation Workers:
    Your career in this field will involve protecting all sorts of natural areas. You will look out for erosion, water issues, and plant-borne disease, among other issues.

  • Urban and Regional Planner:
    Urban planners help cities and states prepare for future growth, as well as managing current situations. Your projects might include public transportation, bicycling initiatives, or creating policies for zoning building permits. You may one day describe your job as being one large game of Sim City, but with more responsibility.

  • Civil Engineering Technician:
    In this position, you will work alongside Civil Engineers to design and plan infrastructure projects. In Montana, you might work on hydrologic issues related to the states waterways or you could help rebuild bridges or retrofit them to accommodate new urban growth. Your daily life will likely be split between time in the office pouring over plans, and time spent under a hardhat monitoring a project.

Best Montana Schools for Land Use Planning and Management/Development

  • Great Falls College – Montana State University
  • Carroll College
  • Montana Tech of the University of Montana
  • University of Montana

Top Mass Communication/Media Studies Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Announcer 300 $26,200
Editors 300 $44,100
Film/Video Editor 100 $47,100
Reporter 200 $32,500
Public Relations 600 $52,900

  • Announcer:
    Announcers deliver the news or other reports over radio, television, or other media. These days, you might work on a podcast or a new YouTube channel. The internet has opened up many new avenues in this field.

  • Editor:
    You might think of an editor in a newsroom or working for a publisher. However, editors also work with technical documentation, as freelancers who help out budding novelists, or on websites of all sorts. Your job title may one day be Content Manager, but you'll still be an editor at heart.

  • Film/TV Editor:
    There are more and more opportunities in this area. Everyone needs video content for their websites, and streaming services are opening more and more opportunities for you to work on exciting films, fictional television shows, and reality television shows, including documentaries.

  • Reporter:
    In this job, you'll gather information and then organize it into a cohesive narrative. You might report for a daily newspaper, website, or perhaps a magazine. Though Montana might not offer many large daily newspapers, you still could work as a stringer, or freelance reporter, for a large paper such as the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, or LA Times.

  • Public Relations:
    The goal of your life in Public Relations will be to protect an image or reputation. That might be for a corporation, sports team, or local celebrity. Many PR specialists work for individuals such as corporate CEOs, prominent doctors, or politicians. This is a multi-faceted position where you will need to write press releases, arrange for various media events, and even tweak your client's wardrobe to help craft their personal brand.

Best Montana Schools for Mass Communication/Media Studies

  • University of Montana
  • Carroll College
  • Montana State University – Billings

Top Organizational Communication Careers and Salaries

CAREER NAME CURRENTLY EMPLOYED AVERAGE ANNUAL SALARY
Corporate Communications 600 $52,900
Legal Secretary/Paralegal 900 $43,600
Sales 49,000 $36,700
Technical Writer 60 $52,500
Editor 300 $44,100

  • Corporate Communications:
    This position encompasses many different duties and might have different meanings in different companies. Depending on the company, you might be in charge of coordinating communications between departments, or you might distribute information across a wide range of subsidiaries, branch offices, and even subcontracting agencies.

  • Legal Secretary/Paralegal:
    This position is in the service of an attorney or a team of attorneys who need your help crafting briefs and motions. Your background with delivering fact-based messages will help you as you learn the intricacies of legalese. On top of the writing, you will also need expert research skills.

  • Sales:
    Salespeople are nothing if not communicators. You might even help create written sales materials that inform and motivate potential clients with regards to your product.

  • Technical Writer:
    This title describes far more than those who create manuals for technical devices or software. Any time a client needs informative, professional documentation a technical writer is needed. You will need the ability to craft elegant prose, but also know how to layout elements in bulleted lists, charts, and graphs.

  • Editor:
    Editors help writers craft their messages. You'll bring their writing from first draft to polished prose. Newspaper editors, on the other hand, work less with the nuts and bolts of writing and are more concerned with reporting, assigning stories, and overseeing the newspaper as a body unto itself.

Best Montana Schools for Organizational Communication

  • Montana State University – Billings
  • University of Montana
  • Carroll College

Want to See All the Montana Occupational Wage Averages
Occupation Title - *Salary information provided by BLS Median Hourly Wage Mean Hourly Wage Annual Mean Wage
All Occupations $16.27 $20.39 $42,400
Management Occupations $37.78 $43.17 $89,790
Chief Executives $51.76 $62.57 $130,160
General and Operations Managers $40.17 $47.23 $98,230
Legislators (4) (4) $46,090
Marketing Managers $51.78 $54.01 $112,350
Sales Managers $46.80 $58.27 $121,200
Public Relations and Fundraising Managers $33.77 $36.63 $76,180
Administrative Services Managers $38.06 $42.26 $87,900
Computer and Information Systems Managers $48.62 $57.18 $118,930
Financial Managers $45.79 $51.40 $106,920
Industrial Production Managers $48.29 $56.11 $116,720
Purchasing Managers $45.73 $48.17 $100,180
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers $38.66 $40.74 $84,750
Human Resources Managers $45.20 $47.12 $98,010
Construction Managers $38.00 $45.35 $94,330
Education Administrators, Preschool and Childcare Center/Program $18.30 $19.39 $40,340
Education Administrators, Elementary and Secondary School (4) (4) $83,120
Education Administrators, Postsecondary $40.04 $46.50 $96,710
Education Administrators, All Other $32.23 $33.17 $69,000
Architectural and Engineering Managers $57.68 $63.24 $131,540
Food Service Managers $24.38 $25.58 $53,210
Lodging Managers $27.28 $29.70 $61,790
Medical and Health Services Managers $41.43 $46.00 $95,690
Natural Sciences Managers $44.01 $48.23 $100,320
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents $30.12 $28.92 $60,150
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers $19.71 $24.83 $51,650
Social and Community Service Managers $24.71 $26.11 $54,310
Emergency Management Directors $22.26 $24.57 $51,110
Managers, All Other $33.36 $34.08 $70,890
Business and Financial Operations Occupations $26.75 $29.44 $61,230
Buyers and Purchasing Agents $21.19 $23.24 $48,350
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators $23.66 $25.79 $53,630
Compliance Officers $26.46 $28.80 $59,910
Cost Estimators $27.66 $28.33 $58,920
Human Resources Specialists $23.77 $26.11 $54,310
Labor Relations Specialists $27.06 $25.16 $52,320
Logisticians $30.87 $31.50 $65,530
Management Analysts $32.38 $34.77 $72,310
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners $17.49 $18.03 $37,490
Fundraisers $24.91 $25.78 $53,630
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists $24.92 $27.21 $56,590
Training and Development Specialists $26.31 $28.04 $58,310
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists $25.99 $28.52 $59,310
Business Operations Specialists, All Other $27.79 $31.69 $65,920
Accountants and Auditors $29.00 $31.54 $65,600
Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate $19.59 $21.75 $45,250
Budget Analysts $28.93 $29.16 $60,640
Credit Analysts $27.31 $30.77 $64,000
Financial Analysts $37.07 $47.23 $98,230
Personal Financial Advisors $38.37 $49.95 $103,890
Insurance Underwriters $30.85 $35.46 $73,750
Financial Examiners $31.78 $35.19 $73,200
Credit Counselors $18.43 $20.43 $42,490
Loan Officers $28.92 $31.55 $65,620
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents $25.38 $27.98 $58,190
Tax Preparers $17.07 $18.16 $37,770
Financial Specialists, All Other $28.06 $30.46 $63,360
Computer and Mathematical Occupations $28.40 $30.63 $63,720
Computer and Information Research Scientists $31.01 $50.65 $105,360
Computer Systems Analysts $33.64 $35.46 $73,760
Information Security Analysts $25.71 $28.85 $60,000
Computer Programmers $32.47 $44.30 $92,150
Software Developers, Applications $35.87 $35.56 $73,960
Software Developers, Systems Software $34.38 $38.11 $79,280
Web Developers $22.05 $22.36 $46,510
Database Administrators $28.67 $29.14 $60,600
Network and Computer Systems Administrators $28.91 $29.51 $61,380
Computer Network Architects $34.17 $34.54 $71,830
Computer User Support Specialists $21.25 $21.96 $45,670
Computer Network Support Specialists (8) (8) (8)
Computer Occupations, All Other $30.64 $31.26 $65,020
Operations Research Analysts $28.91 $31.39 $65,300
Statisticians $34.46 $36.73 $76,390
Architecture and Engineering Occupations $32.13 $34.22 $71,170
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval $29.47 $32.05 $66,660
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists $23.12 $24.93 $51,860
Surveyors $28.42 $28.16 $58,570
Civil Engineers $34.69 $36.03 $74,930
Electrical Engineers $38.50 $39.62 $82,420
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer $38.11 $40.91 $85,100
Environmental Engineers $39.17 $40.47 $84,180
Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors $33.14 $34.74 $72,270
Industrial Engineers $38.26 $43.38 $90,220
Materials Engineers $30.27 $31.11 $64,700
Mechanical Engineers $36.89 $38.70 $80,500
Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers $45.11 $45.93 $95,530
Petroleum Engineers $57.36 $62.84 $130,700
Engineers, All Other $38.77 $39.08 $81,280
Architectural and Civil Drafters $21.69 $22.06 $45,880
Electrical and Electronics Drafters $22.70 $23.62 $49,120
Mechanical Drafters $23.97 $24.17 $50,280
Drafters, All Other $27.51 $26.85 $55,840
Civil Engineering Technicians $21.46 $22.04 $45,850
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technicians (8) (8) (8)
Environmental Engineering Technicians $18.38 $20.43 $42,490
Mechanical Engineering Technicians $28.49 $34.62 $72,010
Engineering Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other $30.27 $28.98 $60,280
Surveying and Mapping Technicians $22.09 $24.02 $49,970
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations $23.93 $26.54 $55,210
Soil and Plant Scientists $30.62 $30.41 $63,260
Microbiologists $38.16 $39.94 $83,070
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists $30.13 $31.20 $64,900
Biological Scientists, All Other $32.80 $31.90 $66,350
Conservation Scientists $26.76 $28.90 $60,120
Foresters $26.99 $27.22 $56,610
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists $32.73 $41.19 $85,670
Atmospheric and Space Scientists $42.80 $41.81 $86,960
Chemists $22.82 $25.74 $53,550
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health $29.96 $33.84 $70,390
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers $40.32 $41.29 $85,890
Hydrologists $34.70 $35.42 $73,680
Physical Scientists, All Other $34.70 $33.81 $70,320
Economists $36.50 $40.84 $84,950
Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists $26.62 $30.95 $64,370
Psychologists, All Other $26.27 $31.28 $65,070
Urban and Regional Planners $26.96 $26.62 $55,370
Anthropologists and Archeologists $30.88 $28.92 $60,150
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other $31.39 $32.86 $68,350
Agricultural and Food Science Technicians $19.54 $20.84 $43,350
Biological Technicians $16.27 $17.83 $37,080
Chemical Technicians $22.66 $22.44 $46,670
Geological and Petroleum Technicians $26.37 $27.75 $57,730
Social Science Research Assistants $19.66 $20.12 $41,850
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health $22.43 $23.27 $48,410
Forensic Science Technicians $29.99 $27.75 $57,710
Forest and Conservation Technicians $15.80 $17.53 $36,460
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other $19.56 $21.90 $45,550
Community and Social Service Occupations $17.80 $18.94 $39,390
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors $21.51 $22.63 $47,070
Marriage and Family Therapists $14.78 $16.37 $34,050
Rehabilitation Counselors $16.70 $17.37 $36,120
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $19.74 $21.34 $44,380
Child, Family, and School Social Workers $16.55 $17.28 $35,940
Healthcare Social Workers $22.83 $23.38 $48,620
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $16.02 $17.65 $36,720
Social Workers, All Other $18.07 $20.36 $42,340
Health Educators $21.31 $22.23 $46,240
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $20.89 $21.29 $44,280
Social and Human Service Assistants $13.03 $14.22 $29,570
Community Health Workers $17.71 $18.13 $37,720
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $17.24 $18.38 $38,220
Clergy $21.66 $22.41 $46,610
Directors, Religious Activities and Education $13.57 $14.89 $30,970
Religious Workers, All Other $14.34 $15.05 $31,310
Legal Occupations $27.20 $32.19 $66,960
Lawyers $35.35 $39.98 $83,150
Judicial Law Clerks $18.64 $21.16 $44,000
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers $30.20 $35.98 $74,850
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators $19.80 $21.13 $43,950
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates $23.82 $26.46 $55,030
Paralegals and Legal Assistants $20.23 $20.95 $43,570
Court Reporters $25.05 $30.40 $63,220
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers $20.56 $21.73 $45,190
Legal Support Workers, All Other $23.36 $31.11 $64,710
Education, Training, and Library Occupations $17.62 $20.29 $42,200
Business Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $77,100
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $69,340
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $57,040
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $62,480
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $72,410
Forestry and Conservation Science Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $67,900
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $67,980
Environmental Science Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $58,980
Anthropology and Archeology Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $72,460
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $52,840
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $58,220
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary (8) (8) (8)
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $48,680
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary (8) (8) (8)
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $68,590
Education Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $55,250
Library Science Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $64,060
Law Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $86,710
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $65,700
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $53,980
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $59,100
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $53,440
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $51,910
History Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $62,990
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary (4) (4) $47,550
Graduate Teaching Assistants (4) (4) $25,030
Vocational Education Teachers, Postsecondary $23.23 $24.57 $51,100
Postsecondary Teachers, All Other (4) (4) $53,640
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education $13.90 $13.88 $28,860
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education (4) (4) $50,040
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education (4) (4) $52,610
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education (4) (4) $53,910
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education (4) (4) $51,290
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School (4) (4) $49,600
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School (4) (4) $53,650
Special Education Teachers, Middle School (4) (4) $41,650
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School (4) (4) $43,270
Special Education Teachers, All Other (4) (4) $57,940
Adult Basic and Secondary Education and Literacy Teachers and Instructors $22.42 $22.15 $46,070
Self-Enrichment Education Teachers $13.71 $15.71 $32,670
Teachers and Instructors, All Other, Except Substitute Teachers (4) (4) $38,400
Substitute Teachers $10.75 $11.03 $22,930
Curators $18.90 $20.39 $42,400
Museum Technicians and Conservators $9.60 $13.04 $27,120
Librarians $23.00 $23.18 $48,210
Library Technicians $13.33 $14.02 $29,160
Instructional Coordinators $25.22 $25.31 $52,640
Teacher Assistants (4) (4) $26,560
Education, Training, and Library Workers, All Other $16.92 $17.86 $37,150
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations $14.81 $17.49 $36,370
Fine Artists, Including Painters, Sculptors, and Illustrators $11.71 $13.65 $28,390
Multimedia Artists and Animators $18.63 $20.29 $42,190
Commercial and Industrial Designers $25.39 $27.58 $57,370
Floral Designers $11.86 $12.25 $25,480
Graphic Designers $17.68 $18.64 $38,760
Interior Designers $24.44 $23.35 $48,570
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers $12.00 $13.15 $27,360
Designers, All Other $15.31 $16.09 $33,470
Producers and Directors $19.61 $24.00 $49,910
Coaches and Scouts (4) (4) $28,050
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials (4) (4) $21,430
Music Directors and Composers $9.28 $13.80 $28,700
Musicians and Singers $17.32 $20.04 (4)
Radio and Television Announcers $11.10 $12.59 $26,180
Reporters and Correspondents $11.75 $15.62 $32,490
Public Relations Specialists $23.27 $25.41 $52,860
Editors $17.81 $21.22 $44,130
Technical Writers $23.12 $25.25 $52,520
Writers and Authors $18.54 $19.61 $40,790
Interpreters and Translators $16.70 $16.78 $34,900
Media and Communication Workers, All Other $11.22 $12.50 $26,000
Audio and Video Equipment Technicians $14.27 $16.48 $34,280
Broadcast Technicians $14.35 $17.59 $36,600
Photographers $12.71 $14.93 $31,050
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Motion Picture $17.23 $17.56 $36,520
Film and Video Editors $19.34 $22.66 $47,130
Media and Communication Equipment Workers, All Other $30.87 $26.40 $54,910
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations $29.52 $35.95 $74,780
Chiropractors $28.24 $29.90 $62,180
Dentists, General $67.22 $77.43 $161,060
Dietitians and Nutritionists $25.06 $25.08 $52,160
Optometrists $48.18 $63.13 $131,300
Pharmacists $56.51 $54.37 $113,080
Anesthesiologists (5) (5) (5)
Family and General Practitioners $87.47 $91.10 $189,490
Internists, General (5) $115.37 $239,980
Obstetricians and Gynecologists (5) $125.99 $262,060
Pediatricians, General (5) $112.61 $234,240
Psychiatrists $88.89 $88.43 $183,930
Surgeons (5) $108.68 $226,060
Physicians and Surgeons, All Other (5) $120.26 $250,150
Physician Assistants $48.89 $48.85 $101,610
Podiatrists $38.45 $44.83 $93,250
Occupational Therapists $35.16 $37.05 $77,070
Physical Therapists $37.38 $37.56 $78,120
Radiation Therapists $37.43 $39.65 $82,470
Recreational Therapists $19.85 $22.50 $46,800
Respiratory Therapists $26.53 $26.68 $55,500
Speech-Language Pathologists $32.93 $33.18 $69,000
Veterinarians $33.46 $36.39 $75,680
Registered Nurses $31.04 $31.87 $66,280
Nurse Anesthetists (5) $121.38 $252,460
Nurse Practitioners $47.25 $46.86 $97,470
Audiologists $34.21 $37.79 $78,590
Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners, All Other $33.21 $38.38 $79,820
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians $26.28 $25.83 $53,720
Dental Hygienists $35.26 $35.03 $72,850
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians $32.55 $29.65 $61,680
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers $35.86 $36.71 $76,360
Nuclear Medicine Technologists $34.74 $34.80 $72,390
Radiologic Technologists $25.92 $26.16 $54,420
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists $31.43 $31.61 $65,750
Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics $14.46 $15.97 $33,220
Pharmacy Technicians $16.57 $16.49 $34,290
Psychiatric Technicians $12.32 $12.44 $25,870
Surgical Technologists $22.39 $22.59 $46,980
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians $14.21 $15.07 $31,330
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians $16.38 $16.57 $34,460
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses $20.65 $20.52 $42,690
Medical Records and Health Information Technicians $17.13 $18.40 $38,280
Opticians, Dispensing $15.56 $16.22 $33,740
Hearing Aid Specialists $29.75 $32.82 $68,260
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other $17.38 $20.11 $41,830
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists $29.91 $31.91 $66,370
Occupational Health and Safety Technicians $27.11 $27.90 $58,040
Athletic Trainers (4) (4) $44,320
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Workers, All Other $21.84 $21.09 $43,870
Healthcare Support Occupations $13.50 $14.15 $29,430
Home Health Aides $11.72 $12.05 $25,050
Psychiatric Aides $13.57 $13.83 $28,760
Nursing Assistants $12.67 $13.01 $27,070
Orderlies $12.15 $12.49 $25,970
Physical Therapist Assistants $22.37 $22.32 $46,430
Physical Therapist Aides $13.37 $14.02 $29,160
Massage Therapists $17.08 $18.39 $38,250
Dental Assistants $17.64 $17.81 $37,050
Medical Assistants $15.70 $15.95 $33,170
Medical Equipment Preparers $13.86 $14.77 $30,720
Medical Transcriptionists $15.95 $15.16 $31,540
Pharmacy Aides $14.34 $15.50 $32,240
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers $12.40 $12.77 $26,570
Phlebotomists $14.36 $15.74 $32,730
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other $15.80 $16.42 $34,160
Protective Service Occupations $20.10 $21.38 $44,480
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers $24.52 $25.50 $53,040
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $32.95 $35.21 $73,240
First-Line Supervisors of Fire Fighting and Prevention Workers $32.62 $31.11 $64,710
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other $24.73 $25.66 $53,360
Firefighters $24.24 $23.46 $48,790
Correctional Officers and Jailers $18.67 $18.91 $39,330
Detectives and Criminal Investigators $38.17 $38.26 $79,580
Fish and Game Wardens $23.45 $23.15 $48,150
Parking Enforcement Workers $16.09 $15.86 $32,990
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers $25.99 $26.24 $54,590
Animal Control Workers $17.89 $18.03 $37,500
Private Detectives and Investigators $19.54 $23.30 $48,470
Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators $11.97 $14.24 $29,620
Security Guards $11.93 $12.77 $26,570
Crossing Guards $13.72 $14.30 $29,740
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers $9.43 $9.84 $20,460
Transportation Security Screeners $18.43 $19.01 $39,550
Protective Service Workers, All Other $15.79 $15.99 $33,260
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations $9.90 $11.14 $23,160
Chefs and Head Cooks $19.52 $21.92 $45,600
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $15.45 $16.33 $33,970
Cooks, Fast Food $9.90 $10.35 $21,530
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $12.22 $12.72 $26,470
Cooks, Restaurant $11.41 $11.73 $24,400
Cooks, Short Order $10.60 $10.96 $22,790
Cooks, All Other $13.03 $13.37 $27,800
Food Preparation Workers $10.40 $10.71 $22,280
Bartenders $9.52 $10.17 $21,150
Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food $9.73 $10.28 $21,380
Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop $9.49 $10.05 $20,900
Waiters and Waitresses $9.18 $10.54 $21,920
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant $10.62 $10.84 $22,550
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $9.18 $9.80 $20,390
Dishwashers $9.79 $10.05 $20,900
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $9.35 $9.96 $20,710
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other $10.13 $10.79 $22,440
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations $12.12 $13.57 $28,220
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers $17.16 $18.15 $37,760
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers $22.81 $23.21 $48,290
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners $12.72 $13.78 $28,670
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners $10.76 $11.73 $24,400
Pest Control Workers $15.85 $18.04 $37,530
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers $13.30 $13.82 $28,740
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation $15.34 $15.79 $32,840
Tree Trimmers and Pruners $24.35 $24.39 $50,720
Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other $17.47 $17.20 $35,770
Personal Care and Service Occupations $11.04 $12.20 $25,370
First-Line Supervisors of Gaming Workers $13.04 $14.97 $31,140
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers $16.80 $17.38 $36,150
Animal Trainers $11.51 $12.01 $24,980
Nonfarm Animal Caretakers $11.08 $12.04 $25,030
Gaming Dealers $9.18 $9.18 $19,090
Gaming and Sports Book Writers and Runners $9.11 $10.20 $21,210
Motion Picture Projectionists $11.25 $11.75 $24,430
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers $9.10 $9.29 $19,330
Amusement and Recreation Attendants $9.79 $10.48 $21,790
Locker Room, Coatroom, and Dressing Room Attendants $9.86 $11.84 $24,620
Funeral Attendants $14.33 $14.43 $30,010
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Directors $21.55 $24.58 $51,140
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists $10.83 $11.81 $24,560
Manicurists and Pedicurists $13.92 $13.58 $28,240
Skincare Specialists $14.56 $16.86 $35,060
Baggage Porters and Bellhops $10.95 $11.90 $24,750
Concierges $14.96 $16.17 $33,630
Tour and Travel Guides $11.76 $13.28 $27,630
Childcare Workers $9.84 $10.75 $22,360
Personal Care Aides $11.04 $11.20 $23,290
Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors $15.11 $15.95 $33,180
Recreation Workers $11.27 $13.11 $27,280
Residential Advisors $13.78 $14.06 $29,240
Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other $16.96 $16.87 $35,090
Sales and Related Occupations $12.19 $16.67 $34,670
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers $17.41 $20.29 $42,210
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers $30.04 $33.87 $70,440
Cashiers $10.14 $10.65 $22,160
Counter and Rental Clerks $13.04 $14.85 $30,890
Parts Salespersons $14.88 $16.19 $33,670
Retail Salespersons $11.23 $13.14 $27,330
Advertising Sales Agents $17.01 $21.09 $43,860
Insurance Sales Agents $21.77 $31.09 $64,660
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents $22.53 $38.16 $79,380
Travel Agents $17.51 $19.11 $39,750
Sales Representatives, Services, All Other $20.83 $25.06 $52,130
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products $30.58 $37.40 $77,780
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products $22.78 $26.00 $54,080
Demonstrators and Product Promoters $10.18 $10.90 $22,670
Real Estate Brokers (8) (8) (8)
Real Estate Sales Agents $16.20 $20.20 $42,010
Sales Engineers $39.57 $42.00 $87,370
Telemarketers $13.55 $13.80 $28,700
Sales and Related Workers, All Other $16.21 $18.36 $38,190
Office and Administrative Support Occupations $15.15 $16.41 $34,120
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers $23.49 $25.62 $53,280
Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service $11.72 $12.45 $25,890
Bill and Account Collectors $15.28 $16.01 $33,290
Billing and Posting Clerks $16.33 $16.82 $34,980
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks $16.47 $17.13 $35,640
Gaming Cage Workers $9.91 $10.98 $22,830
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks $18.66 $19.16 $39,860
Procurement Clerks $18.83 $18.65 $38,780
Tellers $13.05 $13.24 $27,550
Brokerage Clerks $20.87 $22.21 $46,200
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks $15.69 $16.09 $33,460
Credit Authorizers, Checkers, and Clerks $23.54 $25.51 $53,060
Customer Service Representatives $15.01 $16.54 $34,400
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs $18.01 $18.97 $39,450
File Clerks $12.97 $13.22 $27,500
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks $10.72 $11.04 $22,960
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan $14.57 $15.23 $31,690
Library Assistants, Clerical $11.61 $12.53 $26,070
Loan Interviewers and Clerks $16.23 $16.73 $34,790
New Accounts Clerks $16.34 $16.58 $34,490
Order Clerks $13.34 $13.70 $28,500
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping $17.27 $17.38 $36,140
Receptionists and Information Clerks $13.23 $13.42 $27,910
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks $15.34 $16.68 $34,690
Information and Record Clerks, All Other $16.82 $17.47 $36,350
Cargo and Freight Agents $17.78 $21.16 $44,020
Couriers and Messengers $12.77 $13.60 $28,280
Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers $17.79 $17.91 $37,260
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance $20.13 $20.36 $42,350
Meter Readers, Utilities $23.80 $24.00 $49,930
Postal Service Clerks $20.74 $21.50 $44,730
Postal Service Mail Carriers $22.99 $23.56 $49,000
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators $20.85 $22.73 $47,280
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks $23.10 $24.27 $50,480
Shipping, Receiving, and Traffic Clerks $14.65 $15.61 $32,460
Stock Clerks and Order Fillers $11.94 $13.03 $27,100
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping $13.50 $13.79 $28,690
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants $23.58 $25.37 $52,770
Legal Secretaries $15.25 $15.73 $32,720
Medical Secretaries $14.84 $15.32 $31,860
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive $15.10 $15.44 $32,120
Computer Operators $16.68 $18.08 $37,610
Data Entry Keyers $13.12 $13.49 $28,060
Word Processors and Typists $15.79 $15.64 $32,530
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks $18.97 $19.92 $41,440
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service $12.20 $12.90 $26,830
Office Clerks, General $14.58 $15.32 $31,870
Office Machine Operators, Except Computer $13.16 $13.48 $28,040
Proofreaders and Copy Markers $14.81 $16.20 $33,690
Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other $18.31 $18.90 $39,320
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations $14.31 $15.67 $32,590
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers $17.44 $18.69 $38,880
Agricultural Inspectors $14.73 $19.94 $41,480
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse $11.23 $12.43 $25,850
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals $11.39 $13.13 $27,310
Agricultural Workers, All Other $17.38 $17.77 $36,960
Forest and Conservation Workers $13.99 $14.92 $31,040
Logging Equipment Operators $20.88 $20.64 $42,940
Log Graders and Scalers $19.69 $19.19 $39,900
Construction and Extraction Occupations $22.23 $23.53 $48,950
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers $29.69 $31.43 $65,370
Boilermakers $33.78 $30.79 $64,040
Brickmasons and Blockmasons $21.13 $21.19 $44,080
Carpenters $20.87 $21.11 $43,900
Carpet Installers $9.64 $11.54 $24,000
Tile and Marble Setters $17.77 $18.19 $37,820
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers $22.25 $23.10 $48,060
Construction Laborers $17.54 $17.99 $37,430
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators $21.83 $21.83 $45,410
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators $23.90 $24.63 $51,230
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers $16.18 $17.55 $36,500
Tapers $13.75 $15.24 $31,690
Electricians $28.82 $29.04 $60,400
Glaziers $17.40 $17.25 $35,880
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall $13.82 $15.73 $32,720
Insulation Workers, Mechanical $31.18 $28.42 $59,120
Painters, Construction and Maintenance $17.20 $17.84 $37,100
Pipelayers $23.80 $24.36 $50,670
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $30.78 $30.70 $63,860
Plasterers and Stucco Masons $18.98 $19.21 $39,960
Roofers $16.35 $16.80 $34,940
Sheet Metal Workers $26.37 $25.18 $52,370
Structural Iron and Steel Workers $24.89 $23.38 $48,620
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters $14.52 $15.25 $31,720
Helpers--Carpenters $16.26 $15.70 $32,650
Helpers--Electricians $15.16 $16.00 $33,270
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters $17.30 $16.94 $35,240
Construction and Building Inspectors $23.23 $24.23 $50,390
Fence Erectors $15.20 $15.84 $32,950
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers $22.19 $22.27 $46,320
Highway Maintenance Workers $21.32 $21.18 $44,060
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators $26.52 $25.43 $52,900
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners $16.60 $17.49 $36,380
Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers $14.82 $14.99 $31,180
Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas $22.35 $22.45 $46,700
Rotary Drill Operators, Oil and Gas $24.30 $33.79 $70,270
Service Unit Operators, Oil, Gas, and Mining $26.36 $27.75 $57,710
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas $26.34 $26.21 $54,530
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters $35.44 $34.65 $72,070
Continuous Mining Machine Operators $34.28 $33.48 $69,630
Mine Cutting and Channeling Machine Operators $35.51 $34.79 $72,360
Rock Splitters, Quarry $15.37 $16.19 $33,680
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas $25.37 $25.18 $52,380
Helpers--Extraction Workers $15.13 $17.19 $35,750
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations $19.94 $22.16 $46,080
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers $30.25 $30.97 $64,410
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers $19.20 $19.77 $41,120
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers $18.11 $22.06 $45,880
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers $28.62 $27.39 $56,970
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers $18.49 $18.47 $38,430
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment $30.41 $31.43 $65,380
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay $43.04 $41.12 $85,520
Electronic Home Entertainment Equipment Installers and Repairers $13.55 $13.96 $29,030
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers $22.60 $23.14 $48,120
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians $26.74 $26.10 $54,290
Automotive Body and Related Repairers $18.48 $20.06 $41,730
Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers $17.14 $18.11 $37,670
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics $16.90 $18.21 $37,870
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists $22.53 $23.31 $48,490
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians $22.07 $22.41 $46,610
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines $25.82 $25.98 $54,040
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians $16.99 $17.26 $35,900
Motorcycle Mechanics $16.99 $19.08 $39,700
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics $17.69 $18.19 $37,840
Bicycle Repairers $12.08 $12.45 $25,900
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians $16.30 $16.42 $34,150
Tire Repairers and Changers $13.58 $13.96 $29,040
Mechanical Door Repairers $16.42 $17.07 $35,520
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door $34.79 $34.04 $70,790
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers $21.21 $23.64 $49,160
Home Appliance Repairers $15.90 $16.54 $34,410
Industrial Machinery Mechanics $25.56 $26.39 $54,880
Maintenance Workers, Machinery $22.86 $23.82 $49,550
Millwrights $21.13 $21.46 $44,640
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers $40.16 $38.78 $80,670
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers $24.15 $24.24 $50,430
Medical Equipment Repairers $27.04 $27.29 $56,750
Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners $14.62 $16.18 $33,640
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General $16.72 $17.70 $36,810
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers $16.39 $16.25 $33,800
Locksmiths and Safe Repairers $17.98 $19.15 $39,840
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers $17.16 $16.77 $34,880
Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers $13.10 $13.70 $28,490
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other $17.55 $18.91 $39,340
Production Occupations $16.60 $19.07 $39,660
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $26.96 $29.16 $60,660
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers $16.23 $16.31 $33,910
Assemblers and Fabricators, All Other, Including Team Assemblers $13.60 $15.05 $31,300
Bakers $12.10 $12.77 $26,570
Butchers and Meat Cutters $14.89 $15.18 $31,560
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers $13.10 $13.48 $28,030
Slaughterers and Meat Packers $14.40 $14.58 $30,330
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders $16.27 $16.60 $34,520
Food Batchmakers $13.29 $13.40 $27,880
Computer-Controlled Machine Tool Operators, Metal and Plastic $19.25 $19.64 $40,850
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $16.73 $17.36 $36,110
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $12.76 $13.34 $27,750
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $15.20 $17.05 $35,470
Machinists $20.99 $21.37 $44,450
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $9.64 $11.54 $24,010
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers $18.41 $20.41 $42,450
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $15.83 $15.28 $31,770
Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners $17.00 $17.27 $35,930
Prepress Technicians and Workers $15.74 $17.59 $36,590
Printing Press Operators $15.80 $16.49 $34,300
Print Binding and Finishing Workers $12.91 $13.66 $28,420
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers $11.26 $11.58 $24,090
Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials $11.72 $11.63 $24,190
Sewing Machine Operators $12.20 $12.65 $26,320
Shoe and Leather Workers and Repairers $13.00 $12.29 $25,570
Upholsterers $14.03 $14.17 $29,470
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters $16.80 $17.00 $35,360
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood $16.86 $17.30 $35,990
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing $15.94 $16.31 $33,920
Power Distributors and Dispatchers $44.58 $43.42 $90,300
Power Plant Operators $41.08 $40.28 $83,780
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators $22.00 $25.41 $52,850
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators $21.27 $21.09 $43,860
Chemical Plant and System Operators $29.16 $29.22 $60,790
Gas Plant Operators $31.32 $32.34 $67,270
Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers $32.14 $32.45 $67,490
Plant and System Operators, All Other $29.59 $29.20 $60,730
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $17.06 $19.41 $40,360
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $20.31 $20.01 $41,610
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $16.14 $18.38 $38,240
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $17.68 $18.04 $37,510
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $16.16 $17.05 $35,460
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders $23.41 $23.54 $48,960
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $21.42 $21.97 $45,700
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers $16.17 $16.02 $33,320
Dental Laboratory Technicians $18.55 $25.25 $52,510
Ophthalmic Laboratory Technicians $14.89 $15.12 $31,460
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $12.65 $13.39 $27,850
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders $18.02 $18.38 $38,230
Painters, Transportation Equipment $22.04 $21.96 $45,670
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators $10.12 $11.51 $23,940
Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic $17.72 $18.57 $38,630
Helpers--Production Workers $14.02 $14.61 $30,390
Production Workers, All Other $14.29 $15.48 $32,200
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations $16.78 $18.60 $38,680
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors $27.81 $29.80 $61,980
Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers (4) (4) $67,840
Commercial Pilots (4) (4) $75,590
Air Traffic Controllers $32.00 $33.76 $70,220
Airfield Operations Specialists $12.59 $19.57 $40,700
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians $9.16 $12.45 $25,900
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity $15.79 $16.36 $34,040
Bus Drivers, School or Special Client $14.69 $14.96 $31,120
Driver/Sales Workers $12.43 $14.35 $29,850
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $20.87 $21.49 $44,700
Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers $14.54 $16.22 $33,740
Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs $11.34 $12.45 $25,890
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other $14.30 $15.07 $31,340
Locomotive Engineers $28.18 $29.57 $61,500
Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators $24.53 $26.02 $54,130
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters $28.26 $28.92 $60,150
Parking Lot Attendants $9.38 $10.70 $22,250
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants $16.08 $16.30 $33,910
Transportation Inspectors $26.44 $34.42 $71,590
Transportation Workers, All Other $14.42 $15.99 $33,250
Conveyor Operators and Tenders $16.79 $17.76 $36,950
Crane and Tower Operators $31.48 $30.07 $62,550
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators $24.22 $24.26 $50,460
Loading Machine Operators, Underground Mining $28.99 $28.50 $59,280
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $16.95 $17.21 $35,800
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment $11.70 $12.35 $25,680
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand $13.74 $14.43 $30,010
Machine Feeders and Offbearers $9.18 $12.93 $26,890
Packers and Packagers, Hand $11.00 $11.68 $24,300
Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers $29.97 $29.75 $61,890
Wellhead Pumpers $25.55 $26.54 $55,210
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors $17.63 $17.53 $36,460

The top occupations with the highest forecasted growth rate in Montana

Occupation Growth Rate
Personal Care Aides 2.64%
Home Health Aides 2.76%
Physical Therapists 2.45%
Market Research Analysts 2.4%
Software Developers, Applications 2.94%
Physician Assistants 3.08%
Nurse Practitioners 3.09%
Respiratory Therapists 2.91%
Veterinary Assistants 2.39%
Occupational Therapists 2.12%
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers 2.47%

Cost of Montana College Education & Salaries

Education is expensive, so it's important to do a cost analysis prior to enrolling in a school. In order to gain a full grasp of the issue, you first need to determine what career path you wish to pursue, and its starting, or average salary. Once you have that information, you can begin to look at the financial reality of the situation.

With a firm grasp on your career intentions, you can assess the colleges that will help you build a foundation to support those dreams. You might find several schools that offer the degree you need, and you'll see that their fees have a range. Assess the top schools' tuition rates versus how much their alumni have been earning.

You should also consider restraining your first-choice schools to those where you can pay in-state tuition. Since you are in Montana, you can choose public universities in Washington, the Dakotas, Oregon, California, Arizona, Colorado, and any state that is part of the WICHE region. Though other states may charge more, or less, for their in-state students, you will avoid the exorbitant out-of-state fees you'd find in another state. In a non-WICHE state, you might pay three times the in-state tuition.

It's also beneficial to look at how a community college can play a role in your education. You can complete most of your core curriculum for a reduced price and receive equal instruction. Review the requirements for your major and for your intended alma mater's core curriculum to determine what classes you should take at a community college. Be certain that your courses will transfer to the four-year institution of your choice so that you don't have to pay for the same course again.

Finally, consider adding scholarships and grants to your payment scheme. There are many scholarships that go unclaimed every year. They might not offer more than, say, $500, but every little bit helps. Also consider whether or not you could participate in federal loan forgiveness programs. To qualify, you will likely need to work in the non-profit or public sector until you have worked off your debt. However, you'll gain valuable experience while never paying a cent of interest on your loans.

College Cost Analysis - Montana vs National

Average Montana Tuition & Fees at 4 Year Public Schools

In-State Tuition - $5,400

National – $10,000

Out-of-State – $17,257

National out-of-state – $25,600

Percentage of Students Receiving Financial Aid

Financial Aid Montana Nationally
Received Federal Grants 39% 37.7%
Average $ per Recipient $9,700 $10,927

* Institutional aid represents grant and scholarship funds directly awarded by a postsecondary institution.
* Financial aid data represents 4-year public and private nonprofit schools only.

Montana College Tuition Costs Vs Salary Potential

Helping You Maximize Your Education Earnings

Montana Colleges Tuition & Fees In-State Tuition & Fees Out-Of-State Books & Supplies Room & Board Campus Room & Board Off Campus Graduation Rate Undergrads Median Salary
Carroll College $34,500 $34,500 $1,300 $9,600 $9,600 65% $45,900
Montana State University $7,100 $24,100 $1,400 $9,300 $9,300 53% $43,200
Montana State University-Northern $5,800 $18,200 $1,200 $6,500 $7,500 46% $38,800
Helena College University of Montana $3,200 $8,800 $1,400 n/a $6,700 26% $38,900
The University of Montana $7,100 $24,900 $1,400 $9,200 $9,200 45% $35,500
Montana State University-Billings $5,800 $18,700 $1,570 $7,800 $7,800 25% $34,600
University of Providence $24,400 $24,400 $1,000 $8,500 $7,900 35% $32,500
The University of Montana-Western $5,500 $16,700 $900 $7,900 $7,800 42% $30,400
Great Falls College Montana State University $3,300 $9,800 $1,400 n/a $7,200 17% $31,100

**Salary after attending is a median salary, your degree and field can affect your median salary.

Best Scholarships for Montana

Scholarships and Grants can be a huge help when it comes time to pay tuition, course fees, and your book bill. There are even some scholarships that you can apply towards travel or room and board. Though many only pay a small fraction of a year's bill, you can always put the award on your resume.

  • MBAS
  • MACPA
  • HTLS
  • HAMS
  • LWAFWCS
MBAS_logo

MBAS

Montana Broadcasters Association Scholarships

Amount: varies
Deadline: February 28
http://www.mtbroadcasters.org/broadcasting-careers/scholarships
If you have an interest in broadcasting, the MBA offers a wide range of scholarships. You must be majoring in journalism, broadcasting, media, advertising, engineering, or some related field, have exemplary academic qualifications, and perhaps experience in the field. Some of their scholarships are region-specific, while others focus on students from diverse backgrounds. Check their website for more.

MACPA_logo

MACPA

Montana Society of Certified Public Accountants Helena Chapter - Scholarships

Amount: $1,000 (7 Awards)
Deadline: March 18
https://www.mscpa.org/students/scholarships
Though this scholarship is open to any accounting student, preference is given to members of the Montana Society of Certified Public Accountants Helena Chapter. You must be an accounting major, or graduate student, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Qualifying accounting programs can be found at: MSU Billings, Carroll College, MSU Bozeman, University of Montana, and Montana Tech.

HTLS

Hungry to Lead Scholarship

Amount: $1,700 (Average)
Deadline: July 1
https://www.hungrytolead.com/
This scholarship is awarded to outstanding culinary students. You must be a full-time student in a culinary department, display leadership qualities, and have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, and a 1050 SAT or 18 ACT score.

HAMS_logo

HAMS

Horatio Alger Montana Scholarship

Amount: $10,000
Deadline: October 25
https://www.dpwfoundation.org/scholarships-programs/horatio-alger-montana-undergraduate-scholarship-program/
To qualify, you must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater, demonstrate financial need, and show interest and experience in community service. Students should also show how they have overcome obstacles and still have managed to thrive. The Horatio Alger Award seeks students of integrity, moral character, and determination.

LWAFWCS

Lawrence W. and Francis W. Cox Scholarship

Amount: Various
Deadline: February 10
https://www.asce.org/scholarships/cox/
This scholarship is awarded to an engineering student who is working on an ABET-accredited program. The funds, the amount of which is determined each year, will be credited to your student account to cover tuition or related expenses.

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