Police Officer Hourly Pay in Kalispell, MT: $35.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Kalispell, MT runs $35.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,228 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Kalispell's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.2, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,541 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
At a projected hourly rate of $35.69 in 2026, police officer hourly pay in Kalispell, Montana, falls below the national median of $37.76. This discrepancy reflects the town's smaller size and unique cost of living dynamics. For those working part-time, such as officers serving three days a week, this translates to a respectable income while balancing their other commitments. Daily responsibilities, whether in patrol vehicles, booking rooms, or court settings, allow officers in various situations to earn from $23.10 as entry-level earners up to $49.27 for those in top positions. This range underscores the growing potential for officers at different stages in their careers, demonstrating that opportunities for advancement exist within the structure of law enforcement in Kalispell.
About the Kalispell Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.10 | $184.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.05 | $224.42 |
| Median (P50) | $35.69 | $285.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.59 | $348.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.27 | $394.18 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kalispell
Based on $35.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.69/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kalispell, MT can expect to earn approximately $74,235 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,828. With a cost-of-living index of 96.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kalispell.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kalispell
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,427.59 | $6,186 | $74,235 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $856.55 | $3,712 | $44,541 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $571.03 | $2,474 | $29,694 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Kalispell) | $35.69 |
| 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 Kalispell, MT earn a median of $74,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.49% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 4.50% below the Montana state average of $77,726.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.69/hr = $44,541/year (purchasing power: $46,300).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,235/year (purchasing power: $77,167).
CoL index: 96.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Kalispell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Kalispell grew 20.7% from $28.70/hr (2019) to $34.63/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.78/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 Kalispell 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 Kalispell
For part-time officers working around 24 hours per week, the annual income can significantly differ from full-time earnings due to the nature of police work, which often emphasizes calculated overtime earnings. The flexibility of per diem police officer pay in Kalispell can provide officers with options for supplemental income, where off-duty or special duty assignments may pay between $35 and $75 per hour. These roles can help bolster a salary that many might find lacking when compared to flexibility offered in other jurisdictions. Moreover, Kalispell hosts a variety of policing entities, including municipal and county departments, state police, and even federal agencies, each with varying hourly structures. Benefits often play a substantial role in compensation decisions, as officers sometimes prefer lower hourly rates that come with health insurance over higher pay without such safety nets. Understanding the nuances of these decisions, particularly concerning hourly negotiations in Kalispell's police departments, can empower officers to advocate effectively for their compensation and ensure they secure the packages that best meet their needs.
More salary data for Kalispell, 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 Kalispell. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Kalispell is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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