The median salary for a police officer in Montana rests below the national average for law enforcement.
According to
May 2014 data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Montana pays its police officers an average yearly salary of $47,730, about 20 percent lower than the national average of $59,560.
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The average for supervisors and detectives is $67,170, according to the BLS.
In the area of Billings, Montana's largest city, the average annual police officer salary is $53,470. Based on a 40-hour work week, Billings police officers collect $25.71 an hour, or $2.93 less that the $28.64 national average, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The salary drops to the $31,000-$35,000 range for police officers in smaller cities like Bozeman, Miles City, Havre, and Belgrade,
according to Salary.com. Officers in more affluent areas like Helena and Kalispell are paid closer to the state average.
Beyond normal pay, police officers across the nation make one and a half times their hourly rate for time worked above 40 hours each week, because of the Fair Labor Standards Act. They can also get paid sick time, paid holidays, medical help, and tuition assistance.
The number of jobs for police officers and detectives is predicted to increase by 7 percent by 2020,
according to The Houston Chronicle.
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