Firefighter salary in Great Falls, MT
Firefighters in the Great Falls, MT metro area earn a median of $60,080 a year ($28.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,520 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 1% higher than the Montana statewide median of $59,310. There are 2.0 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for firefighters in Great Falls, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,270 | $22.73 |
| 25th percentile | $55,430 | $26.65 |
| Median | $60,080 | $28.89 |
| 75th percentile | $69,580 | $33.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,520 | $34.86 |
| Average (mean) | $60,860 | $29.26 |
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 | $5,006.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,503.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,310.77 |
| Weekly | $1,155.38 |
| Hourly | $28.89 |
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 |
| Billings, MT | $68,100 | 130 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $41,950 | $20.17 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $78,870 | $37.92 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $81,410 | $39.14 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Great Falls, 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 Great Falls, MT?
The median salary for firefighters in the Great Falls, MT metro area is $60,080 a year, or $28.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $72,520 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Great Falls, MT?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Great Falls, MT metro area earn at least $72,520 a year. The top 25% earn $69,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Great Falls, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,270 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $55,430 or less.
How many firefighters work in Great Falls, MT?
About 70 firefighters are employed in the Great Falls, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.