Police Officer Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $38.45 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a police officer working in Missoula, MT runs $38.45 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,985 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,988 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Missoula, Montana, the 2026 projected police officer hourly pay stands at $38.45, slightly above the national median of $37.76. This hourly rate reflects the city's commitment to competitive compensation for its officers. For those working part-time, such as a police officer on a 3-day work week, this translates to potential earnings of around $29,200 based on a typical schedule. Per-diem workers perform various tasks on assigned beats, including routine patrols and specialized duties involving court testimonies or technical operations for special units. The hourly compensation varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting at $29.66 and experienced officers reaching up to $47.77. The data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected for 2026, underscores the financial landscape for police officers in Missoula.
Police Officer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29.66 | $237.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.68 | $285.43 |
| Median (P50) | $38.45 | $307.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.70 | $333.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.77 | $382.15 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula
Based on $38.45/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.45/hr, a police officer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $79,980 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $46,142. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,538.07 | $6,665 | $79,980 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $922.84 | $3,999 | $47,988 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $615.23 | $2,666 | $31,992 |
Compare PO Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Police Officer (Missoula) | $38.45 |
| 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 Missoula, MT earn a median of $79,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.84% higher than the national median of $78,542 and 2.90% above the Montana state average of $77,731.
Police Officer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.45/hr = $47,988/year (purchasing power: $49,757).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,980/year (purchasing power: $82,928).
CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.45/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Police Officers in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.74/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.45/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $39.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for police officers in Missoula grew 18.4% from $31.52/hr (2019) to $37.31/hr (2025). At a 3.06% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $39.63/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 Missoula 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 Missoula
Exploring the earning potential for part-time officers working three days a week reveals some noteworthy figures. While a full-time officer may align with the median hourly pay, part-time work can yield about $29,200 annually, significantly lower than the earnings possible with full-time commitments. Moreover, police work often involves mandatory overtime, which can boost a department member's income by 20-50% through enhanced hourly rates for extra duties such as court appearances and event details. Varying hourly rates depending on employer types in Missoula—ranging from municipal departments to federal agencies—further complicate the pay structure. Some officers may choose positions with lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like healthcare coverage, while others might prefer the flexibility and higher pay of temporary or agency positions. Negotiating hourly rates can be crucial, particularly in a marketplace where competitive compensation can shift based on job demands and personal priorities within this unique and vital profession.
More salary data for Missoula, 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 Missoula. 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