Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Helena, MT
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $75,430 a year ($36.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,020 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $76,210. Pay here is 8% higher than the Montana statewide median of $70,050. There are 4.5 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,550, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,450 | $29.06 |
| 25th percentile | $63,410 | $30.48 |
| Median | $75,430 | $36.27 |
| 75th percentile | $77,200 | $37.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,020 | $37.51 |
| Average (mean) | $71,550 | $34.40 |
Half of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,285.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,142.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,901.15 |
| Weekly | $1,450.58 |
| Hourly | $36.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $75,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Montana at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT | $78,870 | 130 |
| Missoula, MT | $77,610 | 170 |
| Bozeman, MT | $74,320 | 180 |
| Billings, MT | $72,070 | 320 |
Highest-paying states for police and sheriff's patrol officers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,880 |
| Washington | $102,080 |
| Illinois | $100,520 |
| Alaska | $99,130 |
| Colorado | $97,350 |
| Delaware | $92,970 |
| New York | $92,790 |
| New Jersey | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $88,650 |
| Oregon | $88,140 |
See Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay in every state or the Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $73,950 | $35.55 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| Security Guard | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Firefighter | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $97,850 | $47.04 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Helena, MT
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-3051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Helena, MT?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Helena, MT metro area is $75,430 a year, or $36.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $78,020 a year. The top 25% earn $77,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,450 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $63,410 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Helena, MT?
About 200 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.