Accountant Salary in Bozeman, MT: $79,420 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Bozeman, MT earns a median $79,420/year (≈ $38.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Bozeman's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.5), that paycheck buys what $77,475 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Bozeman, Montana, can expect a median annual salary of $79,420, which reflects a slight decline compared to the national median of $85,864. The salary range for this profession is projected to stretch from $58,231 at the 10th percentile to $124,969 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variation based on experience, specialization, and employer type. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and illustrates the complex salary dynamics within Bozeman's accounting sector. The city's market presents a unique duality, particularly contrasting the higher compensation often found in Big 4 firms with the more modest pay structures of regional CPA firms and corporate accounting roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,231 | $27.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,655 | $31.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,420 | $38.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,429 | $47.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,969 | $60.09 |
Median Salary Position
7.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bozeman
In Bozeman, MT, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,738 (2026 est.). At $79,420, the local median is 7.5% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bozeman: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bozeman Accountant Pay Compares
Bozeman median: $79,420/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bozeman Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $77,787 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -7.50% less |
Accountants in Bozeman, MT earn a median of $79,420 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.50% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 2.10% above the Montana state average of $77,787.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bozeman has a cost of living 2.51% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bozeman, MT has a cost-of-living index of 102.51 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,420 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $77,475 — a 2.45% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,180
2025 BLS Actual
$77,400
2026 Current Est.
$79,420
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Bozeman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,039 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,453 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,146 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,885 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,420 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,493 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bozeman metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $66,180 (2019) to $77,400 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,493 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,313 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bozeman 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) | $58,231 – $64,655 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,655 – $79,420 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,420 – $99,429 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,429 – $124,969 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Bozeman
With approximately 800 accountants working in Bozeman, the local job market demonstrates a stable demand for accounting professionals. However, an above-average cost-of-living index of 102.51 can impact how far salaries stretch in terms of purchasing power. Among different employers, Big 4 firms tend to offer the top salaries and the best entry points for new graduates. This means that those seeking to maximize their accountant pay in Bozeman MT might prefer gaining initial experience at a public firm before transitioning to industry roles, where opportunities for higher cash compensation exist. Factors contributing to the wide salary range include the possession of a CPA license, specialized skills in areas like tax or forensic accounting, and the potential for significant bonuses associated with busy-season work. To enhance their earnings potential, accountants should consider developing expertise in niche areas and exploring various employment options within the landscape of Bozeman's accounting ecosystem.
More salary data for Bozeman, 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 $77,400 for accountantsin the Bozeman 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, 2-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