Accountant Salary in Helena, MT: $78,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Helena, MT earns a median $78,702/year (≈ $37.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $82,260 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For accountants in Helena, Montana, the 2026 median salary is projected to be $78,702, which positions local professionals approximately 8.34% below the national median of $85,864. The salary landscape for this field shows a broad range, with figures spanning from $51,592 at the 10th percentile to $108,654 at the 90th percentile. This data is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrating a stable local market for accountants. Significant opportunities exist for licensed CPAs, as obtaining this credential typically boosts pay and career progression. Those advancing from staff to senior roles within firms can expect noticeable salary increases, reflecting the advantages that licensure provides in Helena’s job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,592 | $24.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,609 | $31.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,702 | $37.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,677 | $44.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,654 | $52.24 |
Median Salary Position
8.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,062 (2026 est.). At $78,702, the local median is 8.34% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Helena Accountant Pay Compares
Helena median: $78,702/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $77,769 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -8.34% less |
Accountants in Helena, MT earn a median of $78,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.34% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.20% above the Montana state average of $77,769.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $78,702 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,260 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$65,582
2025 BLS Actual
$76,700
2026 Current Est.
$78,702
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,582 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,424 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,806 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,494 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,217 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,756 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $65,582 (2019) to $76,700 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,756 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,174 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $51,592 – $65,609 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,609 – $78,702 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,702 – $92,677 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,677 – $108,654 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Helena
In 2026, the accountant job market in Helena is characterized by a solid workforce of around 580 accountants, benefiting from a favorable cost of living index of 95.675, which enhances purchasing power compared to national averages. While larger firms like the Big 4 tend to offer higher salaries, regional and mid-tier practices, along with corporate finance departments, also remain competitive. The disparities in pay stem from factors such as the CPA license's impact on advancement, the prestige of public accounting firms, and specialties that command additional premiums. Maximizing salary potential in Helena involves pursuing CPA licensure, considering roles with larger public firms to capitalize on the partner track, and negotiating compensation that reflects the demanding busy-season periods from January to April, which often result in significant overtime or bonus pay. Understanding the unique dynamics of accountant pay in Helena, MT, allows individuals to make informed career decisions that align with their financial goals.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Helena, MT in 2026?
Is Helena, MT a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Helena?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Helena?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Helena?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Montana
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 $76,700 for accountantsin the Helena 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