Police Officer Hourly Pay in Billings, MT: $35.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Billings, MT runs $35.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,275 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Billings's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $38.18 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,566 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Billings, Montana, the projected police officer hourly pay for 2026 is set at $35.71, which falls below the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate reflects the earnings potential for both full-time officers and those considering part-time or per-diem positions in environments ranging from patrol vehicles to courtrooms to specialized unit operations. For officers working three days a week, the earnings can still be significant, offering a practical route for those seeking flexible schedules. The hourly range for police officers in Billings varies considerably, starting at $29.65 for entry-level positions and rising to $41.01 for experienced officers. These figures are based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, providing a clear insight into the local job market for law enforcement.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.65 | $237.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.51 | $252.04 |
| Median (P50) | $35.71 | $285.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.01 | $328.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.01 | $328.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Billings
Based on $35.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.71/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Billings, MT can expect to earn approximately $74,277 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,852. With a cost-of-living index of 93.53 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Billings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Billings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,428.41 | $6,190 | $74,277 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $857.05 | $3,714 | $44,566 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $571.36 | $2,476 | $29,711 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Billings) | $35.71 |
| Firefighter (National Avg) | $28.13 |
| Detective / Criminal Investigator (National Avg) | $45.86 |
| Correctional Officer (National Avg) | $25.24 |
| Security Guard (National Avg) | $17.32 |
Police Officers in Billings, MT earn a median of $74,275 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.43% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.50% below the Montana state average of $77,775.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.71/hr = $44,566/year (purchasing power: $47,651).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,277/year (purchasing power: $79,419).
CoL index: 93.526 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Billings grew 15.5% from $30.01/hr (2019) to $34.65/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.80/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem police officers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Police Officer in Billings
Analyzing the compensation options, a part-time officer working 24 hours per week can expect to take home around $44,160 annually, which is substantially less than their full-time counterparts. Additionally, per diem police officer pay in Billings can vary widely, especially for off-duty assignments that typically pay between $35 and $75 per hour, providing a lucrative supplement to base pay. Many officers face the intersection of regular employment and overtime, particularly for court appearances and special details, where overtime could boost earnings by 20-50%. The hourly compensation can fluctuate based on the type of agency—municipal, state, or federal—which could impact benefits like health insurance. Consequently, negotiation may revolve around the balance between hourly rates and the coverage offered, making it essential for prospective officers in Billings to carefully evaluate their choices based on their financial needs and career goals.
More salary data for 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for police officers in Billings. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
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