SOC 33-9032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Security Guards — Helena
Helena, MT · 4 metro areas compared
At $37,920, median pay for Security Guards in Helena, MT tracks the national median of $38,020 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $37,920, median pay for Security Guards in Helena, MT tracks the national median of $38,020 closely. Pay ranges from under $28,970 at the tenth percentile to more than $51,460 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $35,260 to $40,280.
Employment stands at 90, or 2.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Great Falls records the highest median at $41,950. Of the 241 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 209th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,970 | −23.8% |
| 25th | $35,260 | −7.3% |
| Median (50th) | $37,920 | −0.3% |
| 75th | $40,280 | +5.9% |
| 90th | $51,460 | +35.3% |
| Mean | $39,230 | +3.2% |
Other metro areas in Montana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Falls | $41,950 | 260 | |
| 2 | Bozeman | $41,420 | 130 | |
| 3 | Billings | $38,040 | 230 | |
| 4 | Missoula | $36,750 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Helena run 5.4% below the national average, so the median of $37,920 goes as far as $40,085 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$37,920as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$40,085US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $37,920 a year, 0.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,970 to $51,460 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Great Falls, at $41,950.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Security Guards in Helena, MT?
The median annual wage is $37,920, or $18.23 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 $38,020, so pay in Helena, MT is 0.3% 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 Helena, MT earns more than $51,460 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,970 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 $41,950 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 90 jobs in this occupation in Helena, MT. 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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