Correctional Officers and Jailers Salary in Helena, MT
Correctional Officers and Jailers in Helena, MT make a median of $51,760 a year, or about $24.89 an hour. The range runs from $43K at the entry level to $61K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.67), that's roughly $54,103 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,404/month — about 41.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $52K get you in Helena?
About correctional officers and jailers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Helena, MT
Entry-level correctional officers and jailers (10th percentile) start around $43K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K.Top earners bring in $61K or more - a $18K spread from bottom to top.
Correctional Officers and Jailers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $96K | +65% | 37,760 |
| New Jersey | $90K | +56% | 7,840 |
| Oregon | $83K | +43% | 3,910 |
| Massachusetts | $79K | +36% | 5,810 |
| Illinois | $79K | +36% | 12,210 |
| Nevada | $77K | +32% | 3,010 |
| Washington | $76K | +32% | 6,470 |
| New York | $75K | +30% | 29,710 |
| Wisconsin | $74K | +28% | 6,290 |
| Alaska | $71K | +23% | 810 |
| Hawaii | $66K | +14% | 1,260 |
| Michigan | $65K | +13% | 8,200 |
| Minnesota | $65K | +12% | 3,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $64K | +10% | 15,260 |
| Connecticut | $63K | +8% | 3,710 |
Track correctional officers and jailers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Helena numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do correctional officers and jailers make in Helena, MT?
The median is $51,760 a year - that works out to about $24.89 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,290, and experienced correctional officers and jailers can clear $60,810. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Helena?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,473/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,404/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 40.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a correctional officers and jailers salary go in Helena?
Helena has a Regional Price Parity of 95.67 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median correctional officers and jailers salary is worth about $54,103 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do correctional officers and jailers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.