Police Officer Hourly Pay in Bozeman, MT: $36.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Bozeman, MT runs $36.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,594 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Bozeman's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.5, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,956 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bozeman, Montana, police officers earn a median hourly pay of $36.82, which is slightly below the national median of $37.76. This difference highlights the competitive nature of police officer hourly rates in various regions. For part-time officers working three days per week, their pay structure allows them to earn roughly $28,000 annually based on a typical schedule. With opportunities ranging between $30.86 (entry-level) and $46.04 (top earners), the pay scale accommodates different experience levels, whether they are assigned to patrol vehicles, engaged in report writing at the police station, or involved in special unit operations such as SWAT. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data further demonstrates that Bozeman's hourly compensation reflects the city’s ability to attract talent despite a higher cost of living index compared to the national average.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.86 | $246.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.30 | $282.38 |
| Median (P50) | $36.82 | $294.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.04 | $368.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.04 | $368.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bozeman
Based on $36.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.82/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bozeman, MT can expect to earn approximately $76,593 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,188. With a cost-of-living index of 102.51 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bozeman.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bozeman
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,472.93 | $6,383 | $76,593 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $883.76 | $3,830 | $45,956 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $589.17 | $2,553 | $30,637 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Bozeman) | $36.82 |
| 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 Bozeman, MT earn a median of $76,594 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.48% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 1.50% below the Montana state average of $77,761.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.82/hr = $45,956/year (purchasing power: $44,830).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,593/year (purchasing power: $74,717).
CoL index: 102.51 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$29.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Bozeman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Bozeman grew 20.7% from $29.61/hr (2019) to $35.73/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.95/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 Bozeman 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 Bozeman
For those considering part-time work as a police officer in Bozeman, the earning potential can be significant. A 24-hour workweek contrasts starkly with full-time pay, illuminating the financial choices that come with different employment arrangements. Officers often benefit from overtime pay, which can increase their hourly earnings by 20-50% through court appearances and special assignments, like event security, where pay can range from $35 to $75 per hour. Various employment types—municipal, county sheriff's offices, state police, and even federal law enforcement—have different hourly pay scales, allowing officers to make choices based on benefits and hourly compensation. While some may opt for a higher hourly rate without benefits, others may accept lower pay in exchange for health advantages. In Bozeman, officers negotiating hourly pay should also consider the local job market and the opportunities available with various agencies to ensure they align with personal and professional priorities.
More salary data for Bozeman, 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 Bozeman. 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, 2-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