Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers Salary in Helena, MT
The median pay for a police and sheriff's patrol officers in Helena, MT is $73,820/year ($35.49/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $59K at the entry level to $88K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.67), that's roughly $77,161 in purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,404/month, or 28.9% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $74K get you in Helena?
About police and sheriff's patrol officers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Helena, MT
Entry-level police and sheriff's patrol officers (10th percentile) start around $59K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K.Top earners bring in $88K or more - a $29K spread from bottom to top.
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $115K | +51% | 65,170 |
| Washington | $103K | +35% | 8,370 |
| Illinois | $102K | +33% | 29,790 |
| Alaska | $100K | +31% | 1,160 |
| New York | $93K | +22% | 54,360 |
| Hawaii | $89K | +17% | 2,390 |
| New Jersey | $89K | +17% | 21,620 |
| District of Columbia | $88K | +16% | 4,830 |
| Oregon | $88K | +16% | 4,950 |
| Pennsylvania | $86K | +13% | 24,280 |
| Minnesota | $83K | +9% | 8,920 |
| Delaware | $83K | +9% | 1,790 |
| Connecticut | $83K | +9% | 6,500 |
| Arizona | $79K | +4% | 12,430 |
| Wisconsin | $79K | +4% | 11,500 |
Track police and sheriff's patrol officers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Helena numbers change.
Related careers in Public Safety
Frequently asked questions
How much do police and sheriff's patrol officers make in Helena, MT?
The median is $73,820 a year - that works out to about $35.49 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,430, and experienced police and sheriff's patrol officers can clear $88,090. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Helena?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,756/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,404/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 29.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a police and sheriff's patrol officers 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 police and sheriff's patrol officers salary is worth about $77,161 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do police and sheriff's patrol officers 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.