Police Officer Salary in Helena, MT: $77,738 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Helena, MT earns a median $77,738/year (≈ $37.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $81,252 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Helena, Montana, police officers can expect a median annual salary of $77,738 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation structure that is just slightly below the national median of $78,542. Salaries range from a low of $62,300 at the 10th percentile to a high of $80,407 at the 90th percentile, providing a diverse pay scale that offers potential for growth through overtime opportunities and special assignments. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys and highlight the unique economic dynamics of the area. In Helena’s law enforcement market, structured overtime provisions associated with mandatory court appearances and special details significantly enhance overall earnings, influencing both immediate take-home pay and long-term financial outlook.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,350 | $31.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,738 | $37.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,562 | $38.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,407 | $38.66 |
Median Salary Position
1.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,107 (2026 est.). At $77,738, the local median is 1.02% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Helena Police Officer Pay Compares
Helena median: $77,738/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $78,542 | -1.02% less |
Police Officers in Helena, MT earn a median of $77,738 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.02% lower than the national median of $78,542.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $77,738 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,252 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,504
2025 BLS Actual
$75,430
2026 Current Est.
$77,738
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,504 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,869 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,949 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,117 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,430 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,738 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,117 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 20.7% from $62,504 (2019) to $75,430 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,117 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,613 (28.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $62,300 – $65,350 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,350 – $77,738 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,738 – $79,562 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,562 – $80,407 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Helena
With approximately 200 police officers employed in Helena, the local job market is stable, yet the cost-of-living index is notably lower at 95.675, allowing officers to stretch their salaries further than in higher-cost urban centers. Among local employers, municipal police departments tend to offer the most competitive salaries, while county sheriff's offices and state police typically fall in a lower pay tier. Various factors contribute to the salary variations within the Helena region, including the agency type and the impact of union agreements that may dictate overtime rates, shift differentials, and specialty assignments, all of which can enhance a police officer's earnings. Officers seeking to maximize their income may want to pursue additional certifications or assignments, as educational incentives and specialized roles can substantially increase compensation. Engaging with labor representation groups like the FOP/NLEA could also lead to better negotiating leverage over salary and benefits packages, ultimately contributing to improved financial stability in Helena MT.
More salary data for Helena, 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 $75,430 for police officersin the Helena 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, 2-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