Senior Police Officer Salary in Billings, MT: $85,292 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of police officers working in Billings, MT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $85,292/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 33-3051. Strip back Billings's price premium (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $91,196 in average-cost America. The 15% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
For senior police officers in Billings, Montana, the financial incentives for advanced roles are notable, with top earners projected to reach $85,292 in 2026. This figure reflects the potential of experienced professionals who have honed their skills and expertise over several years. The median annual salary of $74,275 highlights the substantial experience premium that distinguishes the top 10% from their peers. To attain such salaries, officers typically require extensive hands-on experience, coupled with specialized training and leadership capabilities, resulting in compensation that significantly enhances their career trajectory in a market that still lags behind the national median of $78,542 by approximately 5.43%.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
Experienced police officers at the top of the pay scale in Billings earn between $85,292 and $85,292 per year (2026 est.). This $23,611 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Billings median of $74,275 sits 5.43% below the US median.
Top PO Salary Comparison
| Level | Billings | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $74,275 | $78,542 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,292 | $100,587 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $85,292 | $118,643 |
In Billings, experienced police officers (P90) earn 14.83% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Police Officer Pay in Billings
Advanced Certifications in Montana
MT police officers with additional specialty certifications within the law enforcement field earn significantly above the $74,275 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Billings employers.
Specialty Focus
Police Officers focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the law enforcement field in Billings command premium compensation, often reaching the $85,292–$85,292 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Billings metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced police officers who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured police officers in Billings with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this competitive market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Police Officers in Montana who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Police Officer Career & Wage Growth Path in Billings
Clinical Police Officer
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Police Officer
5-10 yearsPolice Officer Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBillings ranks #6 of 7 Montana cities for top earner police officer salary (90th percentile: $85,292).
Top 10% police officer compensation in Billings ($85,292) is 6.56% below the Montana average P90 ($91,282).
2019 BLS Actual
$83,530
2025 BLS Actual
$82,760
2026 Current Est.
$85,292
2019–2027 Growth
+5.2%
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 | $83,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $81,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,110 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,292 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,902 | Projected |
Top-earning police officers (90th percentile) in Billings saw their compensation grow -0.9% from $83,530 in 2019 to $82,760 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.06% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $87,902 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
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.
Maximizing Your Police Officer Earnings in Billings
At the senior level, specific roles command higher pay, reflecting the responsibilities and specialized skills required. Positions such as detectives, narcotics officers, and SWAT team members tend to offer premium compensation, influenced by the complexity and risks associated with the tasks. The type of employer also plays a critical role in salary differentiation; for instance, federal law enforcement agencies tend to offer higher salaries and benefits compared to municipal police departments in Billings, yet the latter may provide unique incentives, like union-supported overtime structures. For seasoned officers, a career path may involve transitioning from patrol officer to senior positions, with opportunities for lateral movement into specialized units, which could escalate salaries even further. Additionally, advanced training and certifications from recognized academies, alongside educational achievements, can yield significant pay bonuses, enhancing the overall compensation package that includes benefits such as retirement multipliers that favor longevity in service.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced police officers make in Billings in 2026?
What drives higher police officer pay in Billings?
What certifications boost police officer salary in Billings?
Can experienced police officers make six figures in Billings?
How much does police officer salary increase over time in Billings?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Montana
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $82,760 for police officers in the Billings metro area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical 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