How Much Does a Paramedic Make in Montana in 2026?

A typical Paramedic in Montana earns about $24.47 per hour ($50,890 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $4,241 a month and $979 a week, calculated from the annual figure. These figures cover EMT-Paramedics and critical care paramedics working across the state. Pay varies by employer, shift structure, and years on the job.

That figure sits 16% below the national typical pay of $60,600 for Paramedics, a gap that often reflects Montana's lower cost of living. Montana ranks 45th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia for Paramedic pay. About 300 Paramedics work across the state, a modest workforce compared with the national total of 100,610. The lower figure is not unusual for a rural, lower-cost state.

Entry-level positions in Montana typically offer around $17.11 an hour, or about $35,590 a year, for those just starting out. Paramedics with some experience move into the next bracket, earning near $20.13 an hour ($41,870 a year). Pay typically climbs toward the state typical figure of $24.47 an hour within the first few years on the job. Newer hires should expect lower pay while building experience and certifications.

Experienced Paramedics in Montana often earn upwards of $28.42 an hour, or roughly $59,110 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $33.75 an hour, or about $70,190 a year. That leaves a spread of $34,600 between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years of service, and city of employment tend to separate Paramedics at the low end from those at the high end.

Montana Paramedic pay rose from $46,930 in 2021 to $50,890 in 2025, a gain of $3,960. That marks an increase of about 8% over five years. Pay dipped slightly in 2023 before climbing again in 2024 and 2025. The overall direction has been upward since 2021.

Nationally, Paramedic pay climbed about 30% over the same stretch, a faster pace than Montana's rise. That means Montana's gains, while real, have not kept pace with the national trend. Pay has moved up for Paramedics starting careers in Montana today, though future increases are not guaranteed. Anyone weighing a move into the field can expect current pay to reflect this recent upward path.

Billings is the only Montana metro area with enough Paramedic data to report separately, and it pays somewhat above the state figure. Paramedics there earn a typical $52,600 a year, or $25.29 an hour, about 3% above the statewide figure of $50,890. That employs around 50 Paramedics, the largest concentration tracked in the state. Outside Billings, wage data for other Montana cities is too limited to break out.

Because Billings is the only city with reported figures, pay for Paramedics is fairly uniform across the rest of Montana. There is no separate lowest-paying city to compare, so the statewide figure of $50,890 is the best guide outside Billings. Living costs in smaller Montana towns tend to run lower, which can offset the gap. Paramedics moving within the state should expect earnings close to the statewide figure almost everywhere outside Billings.

Montana pay lags behind every neighboring state. Wyoming pays the most nearby, with a typical $64,040 a year for Paramedics, 26% higher than Montana's figure. North Dakota and Idaho also pay more, at $62,320 and $60,380. South Dakota is the exception, paying about 4% less at $48,830. Paramedic licensure earned in Montana can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, easing a move across the border.

Paramedics in Montana typically earn $50,890 a year, a figure that has risen 8% since 2021 but still trails the national typical pay. Pay climbs with experience, and the top 10% earn well above the entry-level range. Those pursuing the role should check Montana's EMS licensing or registry page for certification requirements, and review city-level pages for local pay figures before choosing where to work.