Police Officers Pay Range in Montana
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$55,330
- 25th Percentile — Junior$59,860
- 50th Percentile — Median$70,050
- 75th Percentile — Senior$77,500
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$84,150
Half of Police Officers in Montana earn more than $70,050. The top 10% make $84,150 or more, while entry-level workers start around $55,330.
Police Officers in Montana: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Montana ranks 35th of 51 states for Police Officers pay, at $69,540 per year (12.2% below the U.S. average of $79,200).
- 2,160 people work as Police Officers in Montana — 0.3% of all U.S. Police Officers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.98: Police Officers jobs are less concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $55,330; the top 10% earn over $84,150.
- Hourly equivalent: $33.43 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $112,980.
- Among public safety jobs in Montana, Detectives and Criminal Investigators pays the most ($93,800).
Police Officers Job Market in Montana
Key factors affecting compensation
Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Police Officers here earn $69,540 on average, placing the state 35th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $69,540 is roughly equivalent to $73,200 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Vermont ($70,560), Virginia ($70,450), Michigan ($70,310) are the closest alternatives for Police Officers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Public Safety Jobs in Montana
Related career salary benchmarks
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators $93,800/yr Montana +34.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Police $93,560/yr Montana +34.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting $85,620/yr Montana +23.1% vs this role
- Firefighters $57,660/yr Montana 17.1% vs this role
- Correctional Officers and Jailers $52,980/yr Montana 23.8% vs this role
- Private Detectives and Investigators $52,540/yr Montana 24.4% vs this role
- Security Guards $42,270/yr Montana 39.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Police Officers salary in Montana?
The average Police Officers salary in Montana is $69,540 per year (median $70,050), which is 12.2% below the national average of $79,200.
How does Montana rank for Police Officers pay?
Montana ranks 35th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($112,980/yr).
How much do entry-level Police Officers make in Montana?
The lowest-paid 10% of Police Officers in Montana earn about $55,330 per year and the 25th percentile is $59,860.
How much do Police Officers make per hour in Montana?
About $33.43 per hour, based on the $69,540 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Police Officers work in Montana?
BLS counts 2,160 Police Officers jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).
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