How Much Does an EMT Make in Montana in 2026?
Typical pay for EMTs 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 EMT in Montana earns about $17.38 per hour ($36,140 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). Calculated from that annual figure, monthly pay comes to roughly $3,012. Weekly pay works out to about $695. Those numbers cover EMTs at every stage of a career, from first-year hires to long-serving crew members.
That rate sits 19% below the national EMT figure of $21.38 per hour, or $44,470 a year. Among the 51 states and territories with reported wage data, Montana ranks 47th. Lower pay in the state usually tracks lower living costs. Montana employs about 860 EMTs, part of a national workforce of 180,510.
EMT pay in Montana at a glance
- EMTs in Montana typically earn $17.38 per hour, or about $36,140 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025).
- That runs 19% below the national figure of $44,470 a year, placing Montana 47th among the 51 ranked states and territories.
- Billings pays the most of any Montana metro area, with typical pay near $38,570 a year, about 7% above the state figure.
- Entry-level EMT work in Montana typically starts near $27,280 a year, while the top 10% of earners make over $46,310.
- Montana EMT pay has climbed about 24% since 2021, a gain of $7,080 in typical annual earnings.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an EMT make in Montana?
EMT pay by career stage in Montana
| Career stage | Montana | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $27,280$13.12 an hour | $34,130$16.41 an hour |
| First years | $30,330$14.58 an hour | $37,960$18.25 an hour |
| Typical EMT | $36,140$17.38 an hour | $44,470$21.38 an hour |
| Experienced | $41,530$19.97 an hour | $50,100$24.09 an hour |
| Top 10% | $46,310$22.27 an hour | $62,500$30.05 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
EMT pay by experience level in Montana
Entry-level EMT positions in Montana typically offer around $13.12 per hour, or $27,280 a year. Pay climbs through the early years, with a quarter of Montana EMTs earning $14.58 per hour ($30,330) or less. Most reach the typical statewide figure of $17.38 per hour within a few years of steady work.
Experienced EMTs in Montana often earn upwards of $19.97 per hour, or $41,530 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $22.27 per hour, which comes to more than $46,310 annually. That leaves a spread of $19,030 between entry-level pay and the highest earners. Setting, years on the job, and the metro area where the work is based account for most of that gap.
EMT pay growth in Montana
Typical (median) annual wage for EMTs in Montana · BLS OES May estimates, 2021 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
Montana EMT pay stood at $29,060 a year in 2021. By 2025 the typical figure had reached $36,140, a gain of $7,080. That works out to a rise of about 24% over four years. The climb was steady rather than smooth, with a small dip in 2024 before pay moved up again.
National EMT pay rose 25% over the same period, so Montana's increase tracked close to the country as a whole. For someone starting now, the record shows pay in the state has moved up in recent years. It carries no guarantee about what the next few years will bring.
EMT salary by city in Montana
With two Montana metro areas reporting EMT wages, pay runs fairly uniform across the state. Billings pays the most, at $38,570 a year ($18.54 per hour), roughly 7% above the statewide figure. Missoula follows just behind at $38,190 a year ($18.36 per hour). City figures cover each metro area in full, not only the city limits.
Missoula is the lower paying of the two, and the gap between them comes to just $380 a year. Missoula also carries the largest EMT workforce in Montana, with about 120 of the state's 860 jobs. Both metro figures sit above the statewide typical pay, which includes smaller rural employers. Housing and daily costs differ between the two cities, so the higher wage does not always stretch further.
How Montana compares with nearby states
Every state bordering Montana reports higher EMT pay. Wyoming leads by a wide margin at $47,070 a year, about 30% above the Montana figure. North Dakota follows at $39,670, roughly 10% higher, and Idaho at $38,840, about 7% higher. South Dakota is nearly level, at $36,800 a year. EMT certification earned in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring one, though each state sets its own requirements.
| State | Typical pay | Vs Montana |
|---|---|---|
| Montana | $36,140 | baseline |
| Wyoming | $47,070 | +30% |
| North Dakota | $39,670 | +10% |
| Idaho | $38,840 | +7% |
| South Dakota | $36,800 | +2% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical EMT pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is Montana a good state for EMTs?
EMTs in Montana earn less than in most states: typical pay is $36,140 a year, 19% below the national figure, ranking 47th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in Montana, about 1.7 are EMT positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 1.2. That makes the local economy more reliant on EMTs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Pay trails the national figure here, but demand does not: EMTs make up a larger share of Montana's workforce than in most states.
Summary
Montana EMTs typically earn $36,140 a year, or $17.38 per hour, a rise of about 24% since 2021. Pay runs below the national figure and close to what South Dakota offers. Anyone planning to work in the state can check the Montana licensing and registry page for certification requirements, then compare the Billings and Missoula city pages for local pay figures.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an EMT make in Montana?
- EMTs in Montana typically earn $17.38 per hour, or $36,140 a year. That works out to roughly $3,012 a month. Entry-level pay starts near $27,280, while the top 10% of earners make over $46,310.
- How much does an EMT make an hour in Montana?
- The typical hourly wage for a Montana EMT is $17.38. Hourly pay ranges from about $13.12 at the entry level to more than $22.27 for the highest earners, depending on experience and the employer.
- What is the starting pay for an EMT in Montana?
- Entry-level EMT positions in Montana typically offer around $13.12 per hour, or $27,280 a year. A quarter of EMTs in the state earn $14.58 per hour or less, so early-career pay usually falls between those two points.
- Which city in Montana pays EMTs the most?
- Billings pays Montana EMTs the most, with typical pay of $38,570 a year, or $18.54 per hour. Missoula is close behind at $38,190. With only $380 separating them, pay is fairly uniform across the state's metro areas.
- Is EMT pay in Montana higher than the national rate?
- No. Montana EMTs typically earn $36,140 a year, which runs 19% below the national figure of $44,470. Hourly, that is $17.38 against $21.38 nationally. Montana ranks 47th among the 51 states and territories with reported wage data.