Firefighter salary in Montana
Firefighters in Montana earn a median of $59,310 a year ($28.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,620 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $59,280. Montana ranks 19th of 50 states for firefighters pay. There are 2.0 firefighters per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $57,660, close to the median.
Pay range for firefighters in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,810 | $15.77 |
| 25th percentile | $47,770 | $22.97 |
| Median | $59,310 | $28.52 |
| 75th percentile | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,620 | $36.84 |
| Average (mean) | $57,660 | $27.72 |
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 | $4,942.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,471.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,281.15 |
| Weekly | $1,140.58 |
| Hourly | $28.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Firefighter salary in cities in Montana
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| Security Guard | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $92,410 | $44.43 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $89,380 | $42.97 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $82,820 | $39.82 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $41,660 | $20.03 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $74,630 | $35.88 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| School Bus Monitor | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other | $80,200 | $38.56 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $32,600 | $15.67 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for firefighters in Montana is $59,310 a year, or $28.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,810 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid firefighters make in Montana?
The top 10% of firefighters in Montana earn at least $76,620 a year. The top 25% earn $68,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for firefighters in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,810 a year, and a quarter of firefighters earn $47,770 or less.
How many firefighters work in Montana?
About 1,010 firefighters are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.