Firefighter salary in Helena, MT
Firefighters in the Helena, MT metro area earn a median of $54,260 a year ($26.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 80 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,730 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 9% lower than the Montana statewide median of $59,310. There are 1.8 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.79). The average (mean) salary is $53,740, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Helena, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| 25th percentile | $48,030 | $23.09 |
| Median | $54,260 | $26.09 |
| 75th percentile | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,730 | $31.12 |
| Average (mean) | $53,740 | $25.84 |
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 | $4,521.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,260.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,086.92 |
| Weekly | $1,043.46 |
| Hourly | $26.09 |
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 |
| Great Falls, MT | $60,080 | 70 |
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 Helena, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,430 | $36.27 |
| Security Guard | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $73,950 | $35.55 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $52,140 | $25.07 |
| 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 33-2011. 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 Helena, MT?
The median salary for firefighters in the Helena, MT metro area is $54,260 a year, or $26.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $64,730 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Helena, MT?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Helena, MT metro area earn at least $64,730 a year. The top 25% earn $64,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Helena, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,060 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $48,030 or less.
How many firefighters work in Helena, MT?
About 80 firefighters are employed in the Helena, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.