TechnologyUpdated Q1 2026

AI Engineer Salary
in Great Falls, MT

Develop and deploy artificial intelligence systems and applications. Median salary in Great Falls: $154K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$154K
per year
Take-home: $98K

Salary range in Great Falls

Entry level (25th)$114,000
Median (50th)$154,000
Senior (75th)$198,000
Top earner (90th)$255,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Great Falls, Montana. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Great Falls

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

12% discount vs national median

AI Engineers in Great Falls earn approximately 12% lower than the US national median for this role β€” a $21,000 discount on annual base salary. Great Falls's lower wage level partially reflects the area's cost-of-living index of 88 (US avg = 100).

Strong 12% annual wage growth

This role's national salaries are growing at 12% year-over-year, well above the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. If that pace holds, the Great Falls median reaches $271,401 in five years.

72% remote-eligible

This role is 72% remote-eligible nationally according to job-posting analysis, which significantly expands the job market for Great Falls-based AI Engineers. Many Great Falls professionals in this role are paid on the locality scale of their employer's HQ rather than Great Falls's local rate β€” verify which scale your offer references before negotiating.

Key facts for Great Falls

Median salary
$154K
annual
Take-home pay
$98K
after fed/state tax
COL index
88
100 = US avg
State income tax
6.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,050
per month
YoY growth
+12%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Great Falls AI Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $154K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Great Falls

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
AI Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$129K$140K$152K$163K$174K201920212023202520272029
2026
$158K
projected
2027
$162K
projected
2028
$166K
projected
2029
$170K
projected
2030
$174K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$154,000+$0
2028 projected$154,000+$0
2029 projected$154,000+$0
2030 projected$154,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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AI Engineer Salary in Great Falls, Montana: Complete Guide (2026)

The median AI Engineer salary in Great Falls, MT is $154,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Great Falls–MT metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for AI Engineer in Great Falls

Entry-level AI Engineers in Great Falls with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $114,000 and $154,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $154,000 to $198,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $198,000 to $255,000 or more.

Cost of living in Great Falls for AI Engineers

Great Falls has a cost of living index of 88 compared to the US national average of 100. This means your salary goes approximately 12% further in Great Falls than the national average. Montana has a 6.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for AI Engineer

Master's or PhD in CS or AI. This role is 72% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Great Falls-based professionals.

AI Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Great Falls (current)$154K88
Billings$172K98
Missoula$179K102