Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Helena, MT

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Helena, MT

Median annual salary $73,820 -3.2% vs national
Median hourly $35.49
10th percentile $59,430
90th percentile $88,090
Employed locally 150
National median $76,290

Compare Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Helena, MT stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
in
Helena, MT
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $59,430
    25th
    $60,830
    50th (median)
    $73,820
    75th
    $75,810
    90th
    $88,090

    Helena economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $74,040 2023 • Census ACS
    Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary vs area income 100% Median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary is 0% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $150,650
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $133,190
    Carson City, NV $131,210
    Napa, CA $128,980
    Vallejo, CA $128,470
    Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $123,140

    Nearby metros — Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Binghamton, NY $79,840
    Great Falls, MT $79,810
    Missoula, MT $76,760
    Bozeman, MT $74,980
    Billings, MT $70,160
    Sumter, SC $52,030

    Related occupations in Helena, MT

    OccupationMedian salary
    Security Guards $37,700
    Firefighters $55,560
    Detectives and Criminal Investigators $73,950
    First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives $97,140
    Correctional Officers and Jailers $51,760

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers make per hour in Helena?

    The median hourly wage for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Helena, MT is $35.49, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.51 or more per hour.

    Is Helena above or below average for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries?

    The median Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Helena, MT is 3.2% below the national median of $76,290. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Helena?

    Entry-level Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (10th percentile) earn around $59,430 per year in Helena, MT. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $60,830.