How Much Does a CNA Make in Montana in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Montana, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · Montana · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in Montana earns about $19.67 per hour ($40,900 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That runs about 3% below the national figure of $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year). Montana ranks 26th out of 51 states and D.C. for CNA pay, with about 4,390 nursing assistants working across the state in hospitals, nursing homes, and home care settings.
How much does a CNA make in Montana?
CNA pay by career stage in Montana
| Career stage | Montana | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $36,780$17.69 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $38,040$18.29 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $40,900$19.67 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $47,550$22.86 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $49,700$23.90 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in Montana
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in Montana · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, Montana's typical CNA pay was $24,360 a year. By 2025 it had climbed to $40,900, a 68% rise over the decade, an increase of $16,540. The national increase over the same period was 64%, so Montana's pay grew slightly faster than the country as a whole.
For someone starting as a CNA in Montana now, that decade-long climb shows pay has moved up steadily. There's no guarantee it continues at that pace, but the recent trend has held.
CNA salary by city in Montana
Pay varies by city inside Montana. Bozeman leads, with CNAs there earning $46,220 a year ($22.22 an hour), followed by Helena at $42,520. Great Falls ($39,330) and Billings ($39,150) fall in between, while Missoula is lowest at $38,550, a gap of $7,670 between the highest-paying and lowest-paying metro areas covered here.
As in most fields, cities with a higher cost of living tend to pay more to help wages keep pace with local expenses. These figures cover each city's full metro area.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Montana | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $46,220 | $22.22 | +13% | 340 |
| 2 | Helena | $42,520 | $20.44 | +4% | 290 |
| 3 | Great Falls | $39,330 | $18.91 | -4% | 360 |
| 4 | Billings | $39,150 | $18.82 | -4% | 950 |
| 5 | Missoula | $38,550 | $18.53 | -6% | 440 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · Montana typical pay $40,900
How Montana compares with nearby states
Among neighboring states, North Dakota pays CNAs the most, with typical pay of $45,820 a year, about 12% higher than Montana. Idaho sits lowest among the group at $38,650, roughly 6% below Montana, with Wyoming and South Dakota landing close to Montana's own figure. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so it's worth knowing how pay compares just across the border.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | $40,900 | baseline |
| North Dakota | $45,820 | +12% |
| Wyoming | $39,160 | -4% |
| South Dakota | $38,800 | -5% |
| Idaho | $38,650 | -6% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Montana a good state for CNAs?
CNA pay in Montana sits below the middle of the national table: typical pay is $40,900 a year, 3% below the national figure, ranking 26th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Montana, about 8.6 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. CNA jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country. Overall, Montana is a middle-of-the-table state for CNA pay, close to the national figure.
Summary
Montana CNAs typically earn $19.67 an hour ($40,900 a year) as of 2025, up 68% over the past decade. For details on becoming certified, the state registry page covers Montana's requirements. For local figures, the city pages break down pay in Bozeman, Billings, Missoula, and other Montana metro areas.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Montana?
- A typical CNA in Montana makes about $19.67 an hour, or $40,900 a year, according to May 2025 wage data. Entry-level CNAs tend to earn less, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $23.90 an hour, or close to $49,700 a year.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Montana?
- Montana CNAs typically earn $19.67 an hour, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Pay ranges from around $17.69 an hour for entry-level positions up to $23.90 an hour for experienced CNAs.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Montana?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Montana typically offer around $17.69 to $18.29 an hour, or roughly $36,780 to $38,040 a year, based on the lowest reported wage brackets in May 2025 data. Pay tends to rise with experience and certification.
- Which city in Montana pays CNAs the most?
- Bozeman pays CNAs the most in Montana, with typical pay of $46,220 a year, or $22.22 an hour. Helena follows at $42,520 a year. Pay is lowest in Missoula, at $38,550 a year, a gap of $7,670 between the two.
- Is CNA pay in Montana higher than the national rate?
- No. Montana's typical CNA pay of $19.67 an hour ($40,900 a year) runs about 3% below the national figure of $20.32 an hour ($42,260 a year). Montana ranks 26th out of 51 states and D.C. for CNA pay.