Highest-paying jobs in Missoula

Written by:
July 8, 2022
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Highest-paying jobs in Missoula

Stacker collected information on the highest-paying jobs in Missoula, MT, using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Jobs are ranked by average annual salary with information up to date as of May 2021.

In Missoula, the annual mean wage is $47,970 or 17.7% lower than national mean of $58,260, while the highest-paying occupation makes $239,260. Read on to see which jobs make the list.

#50. Speech-language pathologists

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $66,630
- #350 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $85,820
- Employment: 147,470
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($118,260)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($111,120)
--- Salinas, CA ($107,160)

#49. Firefighters

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $66,780
- #44 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60

National
- Annual mean salary: $55,290
- Employment: 317,310
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($114,210)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($98,150)
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($97,470)

#48. First-line supervisors of construction trades and extraction workers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $68,550
- #205 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 420

National
- Annual mean salary: $75,060
- Employment: 665,870
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,020)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($103,820)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($101,210)

#47. Occupational health and safety specialists

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $69,140
- #251 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60

National
- Annual mean salary: $78,740
- Employment: 106,340
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Kennewick-Richland, WA ($111,950)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($108,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($108,020)

#46. Producers and directors

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $69,200
- #69 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

National
- Annual mean salary: $101,950
- Employment: 138,250
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($143,610)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($128,810)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($124,990)

#45. Zoologists and wildlife biologists

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $70,260
- #43 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $70,300
- Employment: 15,930
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($109,570)
--- Gulfport-Biloxi-Pascagoula, MS ($106,800)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($100,350)

#44. Securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $70,970
- #146 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

National
- Annual mean salary: $93,260
- Employment: 426,870
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($154,880)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($141,290)
--- Memphis, TN-MS-AR ($121,180)

#43. Forensic science technicians

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $71,980
- #21 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $66,850
- Employment: 17,020
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($106,600)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($96,980)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($96,410)

#42. Police and sheriff's patrol officers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $72,860
- #99 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170

National
- Annual mean salary: $70,750
- Employment: 665,380
- Entry level education requirements: nan
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($125,960)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($118,450)
--- Napa, CA ($116,010)

#41. Computer programmers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $73,390
- #212 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280

National
- Annual mean salary: $96,650
- Employment: 152,610
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($144,130)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($126,220)
--- Dalton, GA ($123,500)

#40. Project management specialists

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $74,070
- #347 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 200

National
- Annual mean salary: $98,420
- Employment: 743,860
- Entry level education requirements: nan
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($133,950)
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($130,250)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($125,330)

#39. Registered nurses

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $74,090
- #147 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,160

National
- Annual mean salary: $82,750
- Employment: 3,047,530
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($155,230)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($151,640)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($146,360)

#38. Loan officers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $74,330
- #197 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130

National
- Annual mean salary: $80,570
- Employment: 340,170
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($111,830)
--- Bend-Redmond, OR ($106,290)
--- Wilmington, NC ($104,930)

#37. Accountants and auditors

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $75,180
- #160 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 480

National
- Annual mean salary: $83,980
- Employment: 1,318,550
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($112,830)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($109,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($107,540)

#36. Conservation scientists

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $75,400
- #36 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

National
- Annual mean salary: $68,230
- Employment: 22,550
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Springfield, MA-CT ($108,670)
--- Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ($106,200)
--- Las Vegas-Henderson-Paradise, NV ($101,900)

#35. Network and computer systems administrators

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $75,470
- #265 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170

National
- Annual mean salary: $91,250
- Employment: 316,760
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($135,440)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($116,370)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($110,930)

#34. First-line supervisors of non-retail sales workers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $75,850
- #237 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 110

National
- Annual mean salary: $92,320
- Employment: 243,920
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portland-South Portland, ME ($129,860)
--- Durham-Chapel Hill, NC ($121,360)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($121,250)

#33. Mechanical engineers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $76,590
- #317 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $97,000
- Employment: 278,240
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($137,540)
--- Baton Rouge, LA ($128,790)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($127,030)

#32. Dental hygienists

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $78,720
- #107 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

National
- Annual mean salary: $81,360
- Employment: 207,190
- Entry level education requirements: Associate’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA ($125,750)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($122,660)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($119,320)

#31. Physical therapists

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $79,340
- #369 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 170

National
- Annual mean salary: $92,920
- Employment: 225,350
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($123,190)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($118,370)
--- Midland, TX ($116,880)

#30. Occupational therapists

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $80,560
- #255 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60

National
- Annual mean salary: $89,470
- Employment: 127,830
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($121,190)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,210)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($113,190)

#29. Electrical engineers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $82,200
- #301 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60

National
- Annual mean salary: $107,890
- Employment: 186,020
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($148,870)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($133,640)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($124,680)

#28. Civil engineers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $82,210
- #281 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 140

National
- Annual mean salary: $95,490
- Employment: 304,310
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($119,720)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($116,550)
--- Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA ($115,120)

#27. Veterinarians

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $82,680
- #282 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $109,920
- Employment: 77,260
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($144,440)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($141,670)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($140,390)

#26. Management analysts

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $83,880
- #240 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100

National
- Annual mean salary: $100,530
- Employment: 768,450
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Dothan, AL ($135,020)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($127,320)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($125,250)

#25. Architects, except landscape and naval

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $84,540
- #117 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

National
- Annual mean salary: $91,900
- Employment: 100,400
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Birmingham-Hoover, AL ($120,430)
--- Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL ($115,450)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($113,780)

#24. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $86,610
- #71 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $83,270
- Employment: 80,890
- Entry level education requirements: Postsecondary nondegree award
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($171,060)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($145,740)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($135,860)

#23. Education administrators, kindergarten through secondary

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $88,860
- #230 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 60

National
- Annual mean salary: $102,650
- Employment: 274,710
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($144,880)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($143,450)
--- Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT ($142,330)

#22. Construction managers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $89,310
- #290 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 70

National
- Annual mean salary: $108,210
- Employment: 284,750
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Anchorage, AK ($160,710)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($149,050)
--- Napa, CA ($145,430)

#21. Lawyers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $91,630
- #355 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 390

National
- Annual mean salary: $148,030
- Employment: 681,010
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($231,200)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($191,460)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($186,610)

#20. General and operations managers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $91,790
- #287 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 1,090

National
- Annual mean salary: $115,250
- Employment: 2,984,920
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($165,340)
--- Trenton, NJ ($165,030)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($159,210)

#19. Medical and health services managers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $92,150
- #362 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 260

National
- Annual mean salary: $119,840
- Employment: 436,770
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($162,110)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($157,340)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($156,370)

#18. Software developers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $92,430
- #268 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 280

National
- Annual mean salary: $120,990
- Employment: 1,364,180
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($167,420)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($158,320)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($148,220)

#17. Computer network architects

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $95,910
- #193 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $120,650
- Employment: 168,830
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($177,600)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($152,900)
--- Rapid City, SD ($145,810)

#16. Administrative services managers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $97,350
- #206 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $113,030
- Employment: 224,620
- Entry level education requirements: nan
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($149,360)
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($142,650)
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($141,950)

#15. Commercial pilots

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $98,180
- #92 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $115,080
- Employment: 42,770
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($185,920)
--- Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA ($184,260)
--- Savannah, GA ($177,450)

#14. Detectives and criminal investigators

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $98,580
- #39 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $90,370
- Employment: 107,890
- Entry level education requirements: High school diploma or equivalent
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($132,210)
--- Anchorage, AK ($127,070)
--- Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV ($123,460)

#13. Human resources managers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $100,310
- #290 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 40

National
- Annual mean salary: $136,590
- Employment: 166,530
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($190,020)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($186,930)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($175,410)

#12. Architectural and engineering managers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $103,220
- #303 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 30

National
- Annual mean salary: $158,970
- Employment: 187,100
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($228,000)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($206,050)
--- Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL ($198,430)

#11. Nurse practitioners

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $103,620
- #320 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 130

National
- Annual mean salary: $118,040
- Employment: 234,690
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($197,870)
--- Napa, CA ($184,700)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($180,380)

#10. Natural sciences managers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $107,490
- #124 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100

National
- Annual mean salary: $156,110
- Employment: 74,760
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH ($222,360)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($219,240)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($216,750)

#9. Physician assistants

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $112,030
- #203 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

National
- Annual mean salary: $119,460
- Employment: 132,940
- Entry level education requirements: Master’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Portsmouth, NH-ME ($167,240)
--- Panama City, FL ($165,000)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($164,150)

#8. Computer and information systems managers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $112,850
- #333 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100

National
- Annual mean salary: $162,930
- Employment: 485,190
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($228,030)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($211,470)
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($202,800)

#7. Pharmacists

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $114,340
- #348 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 180

National
- Annual mean salary: $125,690
- Employment: 312,550
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($168,640)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($163,840)
--- Santa Rosa, CA ($158,420)

#6. Financial managers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $114,510
- #314 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 120

National
- Annual mean salary: $153,460
- Employment: 681,070
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($209,100)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($201,330)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($188,900)

#5. Personal financial advisors

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $122,350
- #72 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 100

National
- Annual mean salary: $119,960
- Employment: 263,030
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Barnstable Town, MA ($172,780)
--- San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA ($161,010)
--- East Stroudsburg, PA ($158,790)

#4. Sales managers

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $154,240
- #17 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $142,390
- Employment: 453,800
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA ($198,960)
--- San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($196,910)
--- Boulder, CO ($182,820)

#3. Dentists, general

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $158,090
- #206 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $167,160
- Employment: 108,680
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Manchester, NH ($276,510)
--- Salinas, CA ($234,410)
--- Vallejo-Fairfield, CA ($229,800)

#2. Chief executives

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $181,900
- #207 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 50

National
- Annual mean salary: $213,020
- Employment: 200,480
- Entry level education requirements: Bachelor’s degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA ($313,440)
--- Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX ($298,960)
--- Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX ($296,480)

#1. Family medicine physicians

Missoula, MT
- Annual mean salary: $239,260
- #129 highest pay among all metros
- Employment: 80

National
- Annual mean salary: $235,930
- Employment: 102,930
- Entry level education requirements: Doctoral or professional degree
- Metros with highest average pay:
--- Coeur d'Alene, ID ($336,820)
--- Fond du Lac, WI ($336,140)
--- Gainesville, GA ($330,930)

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