Financial Advisor Salary in Montana: $100,910 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median financial advisor pay sits at $100,910/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2052. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $104,896 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Great Falls ($131,270), Billings ($99,890), Helena ($97,450).
In 2026, the average median salary for financial advisors in Montana is projected to be $100,910, which is approximately 7.0% lower than the national median of $108,537. The disparity in salaries across the state is significant, with Great Falls leading at $135,602, while Missoula offers the lowest average salary at $78,746, resulting in a salary gap of $56,856. This difference can often be attributed to local economic conditions, cost of living, and the concentration of clients and businesses in these areas. Montana requires financial advisors to obtain specific state licenses, which may include passing the Series 65 or Series 66 exams, and abiding by scope of practice laws that govern financial advising activities. Demand for financial advisory services in Montana is influenced by the growing population and increasing awareness of financial planning, driving a projected annual growth rate of 3.30% for this occupation. With a total of 381 employed financial advisors across the state, cities like Billings, Helena, Butte, and Kalispell also present competitive salaries, ranging from $96,121 to $103,186. As the economy continues to evolve, opportunities in financial advising are expected to expand, making it a viable career choice for those looking to establish themselves in Montana.
Montana Financial Advisor Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $39,244 (lowest entry-level) to $600,338 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana financial advisors earn 7.03% less than the national median ($-7,627/year difference).
Montana Financial Advisor Salary Distribution (2026)
Financial Advisor salaries in Montana range from $53,510 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $292,754 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $100,910. The Montana median is $7,627 below the US national median of $108,537. The average hourly rate is $48.52/hr. Approximately 381 financial advisors are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$125,830
2025 BLS Actual
$97,686
2026 Current Est.
$100,910
2019–2027 Growth
+-17.2%
Salary Trajectory for Financial Advisors in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.30% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $125,830 | Actual |
| 2020 | $113,440 | Actual |
| 2021 | $104,392 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,594 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,075 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,732 | Actual |
| 2025 | $97,686 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,910 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $104,240 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median financial advisor salary grew -22.4% from $125,830 (2019) to $97,686 (2025). At a 3.30% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $104,240 by 2027 — a total increase of $-21,590 (-17.16%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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 3.30% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
Best Value Cities for Financial Advisors in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for financial advisors.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls | $135,602 | 96.845 | $140,020 |
| Billings | $103,186 | 93.526 | $110,329 |
| Helena | $100,666 | 95.675 | $105,217 |
| Butte | $97,829 | 96.2 | $101,693 |
| Kalispell | $96,121 | 96.2 | $99,918 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,510 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $100,910 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $292,754 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced financial advisors.
Explore More Financial Advisor Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do financial advisors make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for financial advisors in Montana?
How does Montana financial advisor pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level financial advisor salary in Montana?
How many financial advisors are employed in Montana?
Which Montana city offers the best value for financial advisors?
Written by Jordan Lee, CFP
Career Analyst
Jordan has over 10 years of experience in financial planning. They specialize in retirement planning for individuals. They work at a financial services firm in New York City.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 3.30% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 financial advisor compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more financial advisorscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 3.30%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for financial advisors (SOC 13-2052).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CFP, a licensed financial advisor with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov