Police Officer Salary in Billings, MT: $74,275 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Billings, MT earns a median $74,275/year (≈ $35.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $79,416 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for police officers in Billings, Montana, is projected to be $74,275, which is about 5.43% lower than the national median of $78,542 for the same year. The salary range for local officers spans from $61,681 at the 10th percentile to $85,292 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant variation within the field. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment and wage statistics, which offer insights not just into base pay, but also the impact of long-term retirement compensation. This pension multiplier factor could influence overall earnings, especially for officers who stay in service for an extended period. Billings presents a distinct job market for police officers, reflecting a landscape where compensation may be lower than in larger metropolitan areas yet provides stable opportunities for law enforcement careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $61,681 | $29.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,526 | $31.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,275 | $35.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,292 | $41.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,292 | $41.01 |
Median Salary Position
5.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,611 (2026 est.). At $74,275, the local median is 5.43% below the national median of $78,542.
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How Billings Police Officer Pay Compares
Billings median: $74,275/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $77,775 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -5.43% less |
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.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $74,275 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,416 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,420
2025 BLS Actual
$72,070
2026 Current Est.
$74,275
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,275 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,548 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 15.5% from $62,420 (2019) to $72,070 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,548 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,128 (22.63%) from 2019.
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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $61,681 – $65,526 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,526 – $74,275 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,275 – $85,292 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,292 – $85,292 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Billings
The local workforce comprises approximately 320 police officers, indicating a community-oriented approach to maintain public safety. Billings' cost-of-living index stands at 93.526, placing it below the national average; this can have a notable effect on the true purchasing power of a police officer’s salary. In this environment, municipal police departments and county sheriff's offices typically offer the most substantial pay packages. However, factors such as shift differentials, overtime wages, and special assignments—like SWAT or detective roles—create a pay gap between officers. To maximize earnings, prospective and current police officers in Billings should consider moving into specialized units or pursuing additional education, as many departments in the area offer educational incentives for higher degrees. Understanding the interplay between salary components and the unique economic characteristics of Billings is crucial for those looking to advance in their law enforcement careers.
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $72,070 for police officersin the Billings metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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