Firefighter salary in Billings, MT
Firefighters in the Billings, MT metro area earn a median of $68,100 a year ($32.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,880 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 15% higher than the Montana statewide median of $59,310. There are 1.4 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.62). The average (mean) salary is $63,060, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Billings, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,990 | $25.00 |
| 25th percentile | $54,700 | $26.30 |
| Median | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| 75th percentile | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,880 | $34.56 |
| Average (mean) | $63,060 | $30.32 |
Half of firefighters 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 | $5,675 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,837.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,619.23 |
| Weekly | $1,309.62 |
| Hourly | $32.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $77,430 | 100 |
| Missoula, MT | $76,620 | 130 |
| Great Falls, MT | $60,080 | 70 |
| Helena, MT | $54,260 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for firefighters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $100,960 |
| Washington | $94,520 |
| California | $85,120 |
| New Jersey | $84,130 |
| Illinois | $78,380 |
| Connecticut | $77,630 |
| District of Columbia | $75,870 |
| Colorado | $74,170 |
| Maryland | $73,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $73,460 |
See Firefighter pay in every state or the Montana statewide figures.
Related jobs in Billings, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $72,070 | $34.65 |
| Security Guard | $38,040 | $18.29 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,110 | $23.61 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $72,880 | $35.04 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $95,530 | $45.93 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $30,830 | $14.82 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $84,190 | $40.48 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Billings, MT
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-2011. 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 firefighter make in Billings, MT?
The median salary for firefighters in the Billings, MT metro area is $68,100 a year, or $32.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Billings, MT?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Billings, MT metro area earn at least $71,880 a year. The top 25% earn $68,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Billings, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,990 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $54,700 or less.
How many firefighters work in Billings, MT?
About 130 firefighters are employed in the Billings, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.