Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Montana
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Montana earn a median of $70,050 a year ($33.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $55,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,150 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $76,210. Montana ranks 31st of 51 states for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay. There are 4.2 police and sheriff's patrol officers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $69,540, close to the median.
Pay range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,330 | $26.60 |
| 25th percentile | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Median | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| 75th percentile | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Average (mean) | $69,540 | $33.43 |
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 | $5,837.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,918.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,694.23 |
| Weekly | $1,347.12 |
| Hourly | $33.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $70,050 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 cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Great Falls, MT | $78,870 | 130 |
| Missoula, MT | $77,610 | 170 |
| Helena, MT | $75,430 | 200 |
| 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.
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| Fish and Game Wardens | $59,490 | $28.60 |
| Bailiff | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Parking Enforcement Worker | $47,750 | $22.96 |
| Security Guard | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Firefighter | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $89,380 | $42.97 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $46,370 | $22.29 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Montana is $70,050 a year, or $33.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $55,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $84,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Montana?
The top 10% of police and sheriff's patrol officers in Montana earn at least $84,150 a year. The top 25% earn $77,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $55,330 a year, and a quarter of police and sheriff's patrol officers earn $59,860 or less.
How many police and sheriff's patrol officers work in Montana?
About 2,160 police and sheriff's patrol officers are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.