Software Engineer.
Billings.
$120,000
median salary, 11% below the national average
$93,000 to $156,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Software Engineer in Billings earns a median of $120,000 in 2026. That is 11% below the national average. The range runs from $93,000 to $156,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. Years of experience, specific technology stack expertise, and company stage are the primary drivers.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $108,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$78,000
to $96,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$102,000
to $126,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$132,000
to $156,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$150,000
to $186,000
Salary trend
+3% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $26,000 to the total package.
Base
$120,000
Equity
$14,000
Bonus
$10,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $146,000
How Billings compares
Billings, MT
$120,000
Cost of living: 11% below average
National Average
$135,000
Billings is $15,000 below
Software Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Billings
What you should know
The Software Engineer landscape in Billings is not what most salary sites will tell you. Billings is Montana's largest city and economic hub, driven by energy, agriculture, and healthcare. The city serves as a regional center for the Northern Plains. Remote work has brought a wave of tech professionals seeking Montana's quality of life, gradually diversifying the local job market. Years of experience, specific technology stack expertise, and company stage are the primary drivers. Engineers proficient in distributed systems, cloud infrastructure, or high demand languages like Rust and Go command premiums. Working at a FAANG or well funded startup significantly shifts the upper bound of compensation.
Junior engineers typically start at $85,000 to $110,000, with mid level reaching $130,000 to $170,000 after three to five years. Senior engineers earn $170,000 to $250,000+, while staff and principal engineers at top firms can exceed $400,000 in total compensation. Moving into management or architecture opens additional tracks. In Billings, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 11% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Total compensation at top companies often doubles the base through equity grants (RSUs or stock options) and annual bonuses of 10 to 20%. Signing bonuses of $20,000 to $50,000 are common at senior levels. Benefits typically include generous 401(k) matching and wellness stipends. And on the tax side: montana has a top income tax rate of 5.9% but no state sales tax. Billings has no city income tax. The no sales tax benefit helps offset the state income tax. When someone quotes you $120,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Negotiate remote work arrangements. Billings employers are increasingly open to remote and hybrid setups to attract talent from larger metros. The range for Software Engineers in Billings runs from $93,000 to $156,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
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- A AI Supply Chain Analyst in Billings earns $121,000 (1% more)
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Common questions.
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