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Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Great Falls, MT

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$78,870

Mean: $78,430

~$61,519 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$37.92

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

A

Very affordable

Affordability score: 100/100

Monthly surplus

$2,795/mo

Savings rate

52%

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salary in Great Falls, MT — median $78,870/year, range $69,650-$92,430

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$69,650

Median

$78,870

75th %

$92,430

Median is in the 40th percentile of the typical range

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in other MT cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in MT.

About Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers salaries in Great Falls, MT

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers in Great Falls, MT earn a median of $78,870 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $78,430, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Most police and sheriff's patrol officers in this area earn between $69,650 and $92,430. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $37.92 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

3% growthAs fast as average (BLS 2024–2034)

3% growth, but many departments are struggling to recruit. The result: higher starting pay, signing bonuses, and better benefits than a decade ago. Some cities are offering $25K+ signing bonuses for experienced officers.

Worth knowing: Overtime can add 20–40% to your base salary, especially in larger departments. Officers who pick up specialized training (SWAT, K-9, cybercrime) have the most advancement opportunities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a police and sheriff's patrol officers in Great Falls?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $78,870. The average (mean) is $78,430, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a police and sheriff's patrol officers make per hour in Great Falls?

About $37.92/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.

What is the salary range for police and sheriff's patrol officers in Great Falls?

The middle 50% earn between $69,650 and $92,430. Below $69,650 is typically entry-level; above $92,430 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $78,870 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$78,870$61,519
Monthly$6,573$5,127
Biweekly$3,033$2,366
Weekly$1,517$1,183
Hourly (40h/wk)$37.92$29.58
Hourly (35h/wk)$43.34$33.8
Hourly (30h/wk)$50.56$39.44
Daily (8h)$303$237

Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.

Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.

Top 10 cities nationwide for police and sheriff's patrol officers, based on BLS median salary data.

Related Occupations in Great Falls

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