Updated 2026-10-02 · 5 of 114 Montana agencies publish starting pay

Highest paying police departments in Montana

Police officer salary in Montana by department, ranked by the starting pay each one states in a current posting. Median starting pay is $79,581, about $38.26/hr or $6,632/mo, above the national median of $70,081. 5 of these departments are hiring right now.

Median starting pay

$79,581

▲ 14% vs national $70,081

Highest starting pay

$95,326

Missoula PD

Lowest on file

$64,709

Whitefish PD

Median top-step pay

$95,326

5 departments publish a top step

Every Montana department by starting pay

Highest first

Starting pay is the lowest advertised full-time figure for a sworn officer in each department's current posting, annualized. Top pay and lateral start appear where the posting states them. Click a department for the quoted source line and verification date.
Department	Area	Starting pay	Top pay	Lateral start	Status
1. Missoula PD	Missoula Area	$95,326	$95,326	—	Hiring · 3
2. Great Falls PD	Great Falls Area	$90,979	$91,582	—	Hiring · 1
3. Bozeman PD	Bozeman Area	$79,581	$100,506	—	Hiring · 2
4. Helena PD	Helena Area	$70,512	$70,512	—	Hiring · 1
5. Whitefish PD	Kalispell Area	$64,709	$97,074	—	Hiring · 1

Police jobs in Montana (10)Lateral police jobs in Montana Montana departments that don't require college (4)All Montana departments Starting pay by state

Highest paying police departments in Montana

Every Montana department by starting pay

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