Data Analyst Pay

Billings vs Kalispell: Data Analyst Salary (2026)

Compare data analyst salaries between Billings, MT and Kalispell, MT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Billings, MT
$65,048
$31.27/hr
Kalispell, MT
$47,263
$22.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBillings, MTKalispell, MT
Median Salary$65,048$47,263
Hourly Rate$31.27$22.72
Entry Level (P10)$47,469$27,412
25th Percentile$47,469$34,029
75th Percentile$80,013$59,610
Top Earner (P90)$113,380$71,730
Total Employed504
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Billings ($65,048) and Kalispell ($47,263) data analyst salaries.BillingsKalispellMedian Salary$65,048$47,263Entry Level (P10)$47,469$27,412Top Earner (P90)$113,380$71,730US Median $80,394

Verdict

Billings, MT offers better overall compensation for data analysts, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kalispell.

The salary gap between Billings and Kalispell is $17,785 (37.63%). Billings's median is -19.09% compared to the US national median of $80,394.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Billings spans $65,911,Kalispell spans $44,318. Billings has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Billings
P10 (Entry)$47,469
P25$47,469
Median$65,048
P75$80,013
P90 (Top)$113,380
Kalispell
P10 (Entry)$27,412
P25$34,029
Median$47,263
P75$59,610
P90 (Top)$71,730

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Billings ($69,551 effective) pays 41.56% more than Kalispell ($49,130 effective).

Billings
Nominal: $65,048
CoL Index: 93.526
Adjusted: $69,551
Kalispell
Nominal: $47,263
CoL Index: 96.2
Adjusted: $49,130

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Billings if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,048/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($113,380)
  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,551)
  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Choose Kalispell if…

  • You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, data analyst salaries in Billings grew -41.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -45.3% growth in Kalispell over the same period.

Billings, MT

+-41.3%

$106,140 (2024) → $62,259 (2025)

Kalispell, MT

+-45.3%

$82,671 (2024) → $45,236 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays data analysts more: Billings or Kalispell?

Billings has a higher median data analyst salary at $65,048/year, compared to Kalispell at $47,263/year — a difference of $17,785 (37.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Billings and Kalispell?

Billings data analysts earn $31.27/hr while Kalispell hygienists earn $22.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Billings to Kalispell as a data analyst?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Billings and Kalispell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Billings = $69,551, Kalispell = $49,130), job availability (50 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level data analysts earn in Billings vs Kalispell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) data analysts earn $47,469 in Billings and $27,412 in Kalispell. The Billings area offers higher starting salaries.
AP

Written by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst

Career Analyst

Aisha has 10 years of experience in data analysis. She specializes in business intelligence and works at a tech consulting firm.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 4.48% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Aisha Patel, MA, Certified Data Analyst, a licensed data analyst with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov