SOC 33-3051 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers — Montana
Montana · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Montana is $70,050 per year, 8.1% below the national median of $76,210.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Montana is $70,050 per year, 8.1% below the national median of $76,210. Half of workers earn between $59,860 and $77,500. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $55,330 and the ninetieth at $84,150.
Employment stands at 2,160, or 4.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Montana ranks number 31st out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Great Falls records the highest median at $78,870. Of the 604 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 202nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $55,330 | −27.4% |
| 25th | $59,860 | −21.5% |
| Median (50th) | $70,050 | −8.1% |
| 75th | $77,500 | +1.7% |
| 90th | $84,150 | +10.4% |
| Mean | $69,540 | −8.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $78,870 | 130 | |
| 2 | Missoula | $77,610 | 170 | |
| 3 | Helena | $75,430 | 200 | |
| 4 | Bozeman | $74,320 | 180 | |
| 5 | Billings | $72,070 | 320 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Montana run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $70,050 goes as far as $74,049 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$70,050as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$74,049US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $70,050 a year, 8.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $55,330 to $84,150 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,160 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 31st of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Great Falls, at $78,870.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Montana?
The median annual wage is $70,050, or $33.68 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $76,210, so pay in Montana is 8.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Montana earns more than $84,150 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $55,330 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Great Falls, at $78,870 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,160 jobs in this occupation in Montana. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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