Registered Nurse salary in Montana
Registered Nurses in Montana earn a median of $85,280 a year ($41.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,950 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,920 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $97,550. Montana ranks 30th of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 21 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $91,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for registered nurses in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,120 | $33.71 |
| 25th percentile | $80,210 | $38.56 |
| Median | $85,280 | $41.00 |
| 75th percentile | $100,800 | $48.46 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,920 | $54.77 |
| Average (mean) | $91,510 | $43.99 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $7,106.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,553.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,280 |
| Weekly | $1,640 |
| Hourly | $41.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Montana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Bozeman, MT | $99,310 | 1,070 |
| Helena, MT | $98,690 | 990 |
| Billings, MT | $82,300 | 2,550 |
| Missoula, MT | $82,160 | 1,570 |
| Great Falls, MT | $78,290 | 880 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
Related jobs in Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $137,210 | $65.97 |
| Pharmacist | $142,080 | $68.31 |
| Physical Therapist | $91,450 | $43.97 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,440 | $47.33 |
| Physician Assistant | $141,470 | $68.02 |
| Physicians, All Other | $438,850 | $210.99 |
| Veterinarian | $99,390 | $47.78 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $78,740 | $37.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $330,760 | $159.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $88,990 | $42.79 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,190 | $39.03 |
| Dentists, General | $167,200 | $80.39 |
| Chiropractor | $76,120 | $36.60 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,580 | $34.42 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Montana
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Montana?
The median salary for registered nurses in Montana is $85,280 a year, or $41.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,120 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Montana?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Montana earn at least $113,920 a year. The top 25% earn $100,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,120 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $80,210 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Montana?
About 10,950 registered nurses are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.