Montana still feels like one of the last places where a college degree buys you both a paycheck and a life given the availability of great Montana jobs. In 2025 the state’s unemployment rate was sitting around 3.1 %, housing is still affordable outside Bozeman, and companies are paying competitive wages because the educated talent pool is small. Bozeman has become a legit tech and startup hub, Billings is the business and healthcare center, Missoula runs on the university and creative economy, and even Helena and Kalispell have real opportunities. Here are six great Montana jobs that keep showing up when I talk to people who actually live and work here.
1. Software Engineer / Developer
Average pay: $95k–$135k
Bozeman’s “Silicon Mountains” nickname is no longer a joke. Oracle (after acquiring Cerner), onX Hunt, Simms Fishing, and a growing cluster of remote-friendly tech firms are hiring engineers who can build SaaS platforms, mapping tools, or backend systems. CS, computer engineering, or even a strong self-taught path with a related degree works.
Why it’s strong: Many roles are fully remote or hybrid, so you can live in Whitefish, Helena, or even Missoula and still collect near-Seattle pay. These are great Montana jobs you can work from anywhere.
Hot spots: Bozeman (especially the Gallatin Valley), Missoula, Billings.
Names hiring: onX Hunt, Oracle Health (Bozeman office), Workiva, Simms Fishing Products.
Peter K. in Belgrade: “I make Denver money, bought 5 acres with a view of the Bridgers, and I’m home by 4:30 to fish the Gallatin. I’ll never leave.”
2. Registered Nurse (BSN)
Average pay: $80k–$110k + $15k–$30k sign-on bonuses
Billings Clinic, Logan Health in Kalispell, Providence St. Patrick in Missoula, and Benefis in Great Falls are in a constant nurse shortage. Rural hospitals in Miles City, Havre, and the eastern plains are offering even bigger incentives.
Why it’s great money: Montana has some of the highest RN wages in the Mountain West because of shortages and cost of living. Many hospitals offer relocation help and housing stipends.
3. Civil / Environmental Engineer
Average pay: $80k–$115k
Infrastructure upgrades (roads, water systems, renewable energy projects) are steady. Firms like Morrison-Maierle, KLJ Engineering, and the state DOT need engineers who can design and manage projects in a state with harsh winters and sensitive landscapes.
Why it’s hot: Federal infrastructure dollars keep coming, and Montana’s renewable energy push (wind, hydro, solar) adds more work. Many roles qualify for PSLF if you go public-sector.
4. Financial Analyst / Accountant
Average pay: $70k–$100k
Billings, Bozeman, and Helena have a surprising finance cluster—banks, insurance, energy companies, and tourism operators need people who can handle budgeting, forecasting, and compliance work. A finance, accounting, or econ degree gets you interviews fast.
Why it provides Great Montana jobs: Starting pay is strong for the region, and the CPA or CFA actually accelerates raises.
5. Renewable Energy Project Engineer
Average pay: $85k–$120k
Montana is going hard on wind, solar, and battery storage. NorthWestern Energy, Invenergy, and the new projects in the Hi-Line and central Montana need engineers who can design and manage renewable installations.
Why it’s hot: The state’s 2045 carbon-free mandate and federal grants mean billions in projects, and a civil/mechanical/electrical degree gets you interviews tomorrow.
6. High School Teacher – Math, Science, SpEd
Average pay: $55k–$80k + loan forgiveness & rural housing help
Bozeman, Billings, Missoula, and rural districts like Kalispell or Havre are offering $10k–$20k bonuses and will help with housing if you teach high-need subjects.
Why people stay: Smaller class sizes, beautiful campuses, and you’re off by 3:30 with summers to float the Madison, hike Glacier, or fish the Missouri. How’s that for some great Montana jobs?
How to Actually Land One of These Great Montana Jobs
- Put “open to relocation to Bozeman / Billings / Missoula” in your LinkedIn headline—recruiters search that phrase every day.
- Use MontanaWorks.gov (the state workforce site) and the Montana DOE teacher job board.
- Tailor your resume to show cost-of-living awareness (they love candidates who understand Montana isn’t cheap).
- Network at Montana Chamber events or the Bozeman Tech Meetups—small scene, big impact.
I’ve watched friends trade coastal stress for this slower pace, and most say the same thing: the pay is good, the lifestyle is better, and the view never gets old. Great Montana jobs aren’t everywhere, but they’re real, they’re growing, and there’s still space for more.
If any of this feels like your next chapter, reach out to learn how SmarterDegree can help you earn your degree quickly and affordably.