Montana ranks 30th of 51 states and D.C. for police and sheriff's patrol officers pay, trailing top-paying California ($115,400) by $45,490 — a 65% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $51,820 to $88,090 — a $36,270 spread, 46% tighter than the national $67,640 range.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $51,820 | $24.91 |
| 25th percentile | $59,560 | $28.64 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $69,910 | $33.61 |
| 75th percentile | $78,640 | $37.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,090 | $42.35 |
| Mean (average) | $69,670 | $33.49 |
How Montana Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Montana (current) | $69,910 | n/a |
| California | $115,400 | +65% |
| Washington | $102,640 | +47% |
| Illinois | $101,530 | +45% |
| Alaska | $100,300 | +43% |
| Colorado | $96,100 | +37% |
| New York | $93,050 | +33% |
| Hawaii | $89,390 | +28% |
| New Jersey | $89,030 | +27% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Montana
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $69,880 | 890 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $70,830 | 840 |
| Electricians | $68,980 | 2,830 |
| Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists | $71,100 | 140 |
| Operations Research Analysts | $71,350 | 160 |
| Tax Preparers | $71,370 | 340 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Montana?
The mean police and sheriff's patrol officers salary in Montana is $69,670 per year. The median (middle) salary is $69,910 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Montana?
Entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officerss (10th percentile) in Montana typically earn around $51,820 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $59,560 per year.
What is the highest Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Montana?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Montana make approximately $88,090 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $78,640 per year.
How does the Montana Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary compare to the national average?
The median police and sheriff's patrol officers salary in Montana is $69,910, which is -8% below national average of $76,290.