Billings vs Butte: Police Officer Salary (2026)
Compare police officer salaries between Billings, MT and Butte, MT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Billings, MT | Butte, MT |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $74,275 | $75,548▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $35.71 | $36.32▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,681▲ | $45,957 |
| 25th Percentile | $65,526▲ | $60,108 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,292 | $96,701▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $85,292 | $112,930▲ |
| Total Employed | 320▲ | 7 |
Verdict
Butte, MT offers better overall compensation for police officers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Billings.
The salary gap between Billings and Butte is $1,273 (1.71%). Butte's median is -3.81% compared to the US national median of $78,542.
Salary Range Comparison
The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Billings spans $23,611,Butte spans $66,973. Butte has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced police officers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Billings ($79,416 effective) pays 1.13% more than Butte ($78,532 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Billings if…
- ✓Larger job market (320 employed)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,416)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Choose Butte if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($75,548/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($112,930)
- ✓You prefer the Montana area and lifestyle
Historical Salary Growth Comparison
Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, police officer salaries in Billings grew 15.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.5% growth in Butte over the same period.
Billings, MT
$62,420 (2019) → $72,070 (2025)
Butte, MT
$57,963 (2024) → $73,305 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Billings, MT
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.06% 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 Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov