How Much Does a CNA Make in Helena, MT in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Helena, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across Montana.
BLS OES May 2025 · Helena metro area
A typical CNA in Helena, Montana earns $20.44 per hour, or $42,520 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,543 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,590, and the top 10% of earners make over $50,060.
That pay is 4% above the Montana figure of $40,900 and 1% above the national figure of $42,260. Helena ranks 2nd of 5 metro areas in Montana for CNA pay. About 290 CNAs work in the Helena area.
CNA pay in Helena at a glance
- Typical pay is $20.44 an hour, or $42,520 a year.
- That is 4% above the Montana figure, ranking 2nd of 5 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $37,590; the top 10% make over $50,060.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a CNA make in Helena?
Pay in Helena runs from entry-level positions at around $18.07 an hour to more than $24.07 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Montana and national figures.
CNA pay by career stage in Helena
| Career stage | Helena | Montana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $37,590$18.07 an hour | $36,780$17.69 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $38,420$18.47 an hour | $38,040$18.29 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $42,520$20.44 an hour | $40,900$19.67 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $48,620$23.37 an hour | $47,550$22.86 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $50,060$24.07 an hour | $49,700$23.90 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Helena area as BLS defines it
How Helena compares with other Montana cities
Bozeman pays CNAs the most in Montana at $46,220 a year, $3,700 more than Helena. The lowest-paying area in the state is Missoula at $38,550.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Helena | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $46,220 | $22.22 | +9% | 340 |
| 2 | Helena | $42,520 | $20.44 | this city | 290 |
| 3 | Great Falls | $39,330 | $18.91 | -8% | 360 |
| 4 | Billings | $39,150 | $18.82 | -8% | 950 |
| 5 | Missoula | $38,550 | $18.53 | -9% | 440 |
Every metro area in Montana with CNA wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Montana typical pay $40,900
Is Helena a good place to work as a CNA?
CNA pay in Helena sits close to the national figure: $42,520 a year, 1% above the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Helena area, about 6.5 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.2. That makes CNAs a smaller part of the local job market than usual, so employers draw from a smaller pool of qualified candidates.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Helena, MT?
- A typical CNA in Helena earns $42,520 a year, or $20.44 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $37,590 and the top 10% earn over $50,060.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Helena?
- Typical hourly pay for CNAs in Helena is $20.44. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $18.07, and the top 10% earn over $24.07 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Helena?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Helena typically offer around $18.07 an hour, or $37,590 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Helena higher than in the rest of Montana?
- Helena pay is 4% above the Montana figure of $40,900 a year, ranking 2nd of 5 metro areas in the state. Bozeman pays the most in Montana at $46,220.