Police Officer Salary in Montana: $77,243 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median police officer pay sits at $77,243/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 33-3051. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,294 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Great Falls ($78,870), Missoula ($77,610), Helena ($75,430).
In Montana, police officer salaries in 2026 are projected to average $77,243, slightly below the national median of $78,542, resulting in a difference of -1.7%. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with the highest-paying city being Great Falls at $81,283 and the lowest, Kalispell, at $74,228. This $7,055 salary difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local government budgets, and the economic conditions specific to each city. Montana has specific state licensing requirements for police officers, including a minimum number of training hours and the successful completion of a state exam. These regulations ensure that officers are well-prepared for their duties. Additionally, the scope of practice laws can affect job responsibilities and may contribute to differences in salary. The job market for police officers in Montana appears strong, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.06%. There are currently around 1,011 police officers employed across the state, with significant opportunities expected in key cities, including Missoula, where salaries are projected at $79,985, and Helena at $77,738. As demand for law enforcement services remains steady, pursuing a career in this field could offer stability and growth in Montana.
Montana Police Officer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $45,957 (lowest entry-level) to $112,930 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana police officers earn 1.65% less than the national median ($-1,299/year difference).
Montana Police Officer Salary Distribution (2026)
Police Officer salaries in Montana range from $61,668 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,283 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $77,243. The Montana median is $1,299 below the US national median of $78,542. The average hourly rate is $37.14/hr. Approximately 1,011 police officers are employed across 7 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,443
2025 BLS Actual
$74,950
2026 Current Est.
$77,243
2019–2027 Growth
+23.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Montana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,443 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,598 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,712 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,301 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,837 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,013 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,950 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,243 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,607 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 16.3% from $64,443 (2019) to $74,950 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,607 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,164 (23.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
Best Value Cities for Police Officers in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for police officers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Falls | $81,283 | 96.845 | $83,931 |
| Missoula | $79,985 | 96.445 | $82,933 |
| Helena | $77,738 | 95.675 | $81,252 |
| Billings | $74,275 | 93.526 | $79,416 |
| Butte | $75,548 | 96.2 | $78,532 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $61,668 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $77,243 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,283 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced police officers.
Explore More Police Officer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do police officers make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for police officers in Montana?
How does Montana police officer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level police officer salary in Montana?
How many police officers are employed in Montana?
Which Montana city offers the best value for police officers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 police officer compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more police officerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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