Firefighter salary in Missoula, MT
Firefighters in the Missoula, MT metro area earn a median of $76,620 a year ($36.84 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,270 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $59,280. Pay here is 29% 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 $69,650, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Missoula, MT
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,120 | $21.69 |
| 25th percentile | $63,470 | $30.51 |
| Median | $76,620 | $36.84 |
| 75th percentile | $82,270 | $39.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,270 | $39.56 |
| Average (mean) | $69,650 | $33.48 |
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 | $6,385 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,192.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,946.92 |
| Weekly | $1,473.46 |
| Hourly | $36.84 |
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 |
| Billings, MT | $68,100 | 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 Missoula, MT
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $36,750 | $17.67 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $77,610 | $37.31 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $79,720 | $38.33 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $61,110 | $29.38 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $107,000 | $51.44 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $113,990 | $54.80 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $99,560 | $47.87 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Missoula, 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 Missoula, MT?
The median salary for firefighters in the Missoula, MT metro area is $76,620 a year, or $36.84 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Missoula, MT?
The top 10% of firefighters in the Missoula, MT metro area earn at least $82,270 a year. The top 25% earn $82,270 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Missoula, MT?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,120 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $63,470 or less.
How many firefighters work in Missoula, MT?
About 130 firefighters are employed in the Missoula, MT metro area, not counting the self-employed.