Police Officer Salary in Butte, MT: $75,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Butte, MT earns a median $75,548/year (≈ $36.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Butte's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.2), that paycheck buys what $78,532 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Montana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Butte, Montana, police officer salaries are influenced by the structural choices between federal, state, and municipal law enforcement roles. The projected median salary of $75,548 for 2026 positions Butte's officers slightly below the national figure of $78,542, indicating a competitive yet modest pay scale in comparison. With a salary range covering from $45,957 at the 10th percentile to $112,930 at the 90th percentile, aspiring law enforcement professionals can anticipate a variety of earning potentials depending on their agency and experience level. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data tailored to the region's cost of living, reflecting the unique economic conditions in Butte and its law enforcement market.
About the Butte Market
Salary estimated from Montana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,957 | $22.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,108 | $28.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,548 | $36.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,701 | $46.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,930 | $54.29 |
Median Salary Position
3.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Butte
In Butte, MT, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,973 (2026 est.). At $75,548, the local median is 3.81% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Butte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Butte Police Officer Pay Compares
Butte median: $75,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Butte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $77,724 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $78,542 | -3.81% less |
Police Officers in Butte, MT earn a median of $75,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.81% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 2.80% below the Montana state average of $77,724.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Butte has a cost of living 3.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Butte, MT has a cost-of-living index of 96.2 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $75,548 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,532 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,743
2025 BLS Actual
$73,305
2026 Current Est.
$75,548
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Butte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,743 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,042 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,147 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,282 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,525 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,963 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,305 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,860 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Butte metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $60,743 (2019) to $73,305 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,860 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,117 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Butte 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) | $45,957 – $60,108 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,108 – $75,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,548 – $96,701 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,701 – $112,930 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Butte
Analyzing the local job market reveals that only seven police officers are employed in Butte, which limits competition and could potentially stabilize salaries. With a cost-of-living index of 96.2, the take-home pay for officers aligns more favorably with their purchasing power compared to other regions. While municipal police departments typically offer consistent pay, state police and federal roles can yield higher wages, particularly for officers who transition to agencies like the FBI or DEA later in their careers. Factors contributing to pay disparities include agency type, special assignments like SWAT or detective units, and shift differentials, which could enhance overall compensation. For those looking to enhance their police officer pay in Butte, pursuing advanced training and educational incentives, as well as seeking positions with overtime potential, are viable strategies for maximizing earnings in this specific market.
More salary data for Butte, 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 $73,305 for police officersin the Butte 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
Salary data for Butte 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