Salaries in Helena Valley Southeast CDP, MT

Here’s a surprising truth about Helena Valley Southeast CDP: your paycheck might go further here than in a lot of bigger Montana towns, but you won’t find software developers on every corner. With a population under 10,000 and a median income of $63,824, this is a place where a six-figure tech salary is an outlier, not the norm. It’s a quiet suburban pocket where a modest income can feel solid.

Let’s talk purchasing power. The cost of living sits at 103.0, just a hair above the national average. A one-bedroom apartment runs you about $1,081 a month. That means the median household income is enough to cover basics without constant stress, but it doesn’t leave a ton of room for luxury. The real story is in the COL-adjusted numbers. That software developer making $128,405 sees their effective pay dip to about $124,665 here—a tiny adjustment that still puts them in a very comfortable spot. For most, the take-home feels pretty standard for the region.

Who thrives here? It’s a mix. The top earners are in tech, accounting, and healthcare, which tracks with the broader state economy. Registered nurses at the local hospital or clinics do well, as do accountants serving local businesses. The 21.7% of residents with a bachelor’s degree often find their niche in these professional services. The low 2.6% unemployment rate tells you jobs are there, but the real large employers aren’t flashy tech giants; they’re the steady institutions like the school district and regional healthcare providers that anchor the community.

Here’s the honest catch: wages aren’t exploding. The average salary across all roles is $57,519, and after the COL adjustment, it’s $55,844. That’s not bad for a community this size, but it’s not keeping pace with the national boom. This city works well if you’re in a skilled trade, healthcare, or education and you value stability over rapid career growth. It’s less ideal if you’re chasing a startup salary.

The data below will break down exactly who earns what, from the top-paying occupations to the COL-adjusted averages, so you can see how your career fits into the Helena Valley Southeast equation.