How Much Does an RN Make in Helena, MT in 2026?
Typical pay for RNs 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 RN in Helena, Montana earns $47.45 per hour, or $98,690 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $8,224 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $78,620, and the top 10% of earners make over $126,400.
That pay is 16% above the Montana figure of $85,280 and 1% above the national figure of $97,550. Helena ranks 2nd of 5 metro areas in Montana for RN pay. About 990 RNs work in the Helena area.
RN pay in Helena at a glance
- Typical pay is $47.45 an hour, or $98,690 a year.
- That is 16% above the Montana figure, ranking 2nd of 5 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $78,620; the top 10% make over $126,400.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does an RN make in Helena?
Pay in Helena runs from entry-level positions at around $37.80 an hour to more than $60.77 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the Montana and national figures.
RN pay by career stage in Helena
| Career stage | Helena | Montana | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $78,620$37.80 an hour | $70,120$33.71 an hour | $68,940$33.14 an hour |
| First years | $79,870$38.40 an hour | $80,210$38.56 an hour | $80,330$38.62 an hour |
| Typical RN | $98,690$47.45 an hour | $85,280$41.00 an hour | $97,550$46.90 an hour |
| Experienced | $106,450$51.18 an hour | $100,800$48.46 an hour | $112,350$54.02 an hour |
| Top 10% | $126,400$60.77 an hour | $113,920$54.77 an hour | $137,470$66.09 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 RNs the most in Montana at $99,310 a year, $620 more than Helena. The lowest-paying area in the state is Great Falls at $78,290.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Helena | RNs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bozeman | $99,310 | $47.75 | +1% | 1,070 |
| 2 | Helena | $98,690 | $47.45 | this city | 990 |
| 3 | Billings | $82,300 | $39.57 | -17% | 2,550 |
| 4 | Missoula | $82,160 | $39.50 | -17% | 1,570 |
| 5 | Great Falls | $78,290 | $37.64 | -21% | 880 |
Every metro area in Montana with RN wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · Montana typical pay $85,280
Is Helena a good place to work as an RN?
RN pay in Helena sits close to the national figure: $98,690 a year, 1% above the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Helena area, about 22 are RN positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 22. RN jobs make up about the same share of the job market as they do across the country.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does an RN make in Helena, MT?
- A typical RN in Helena earns $98,690 a year, or $47.45 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $78,620 and the top 10% earn over $126,400.
- How much does an RN make an hour in Helena?
- Typical hourly pay for RNs in Helena is $47.45. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $37.80, and the top 10% earn over $60.77 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for an RN in Helena?
- Entry-level RN positions in Helena typically offer around $37.80 an hour, or $78,620 a year.
- Is RN pay in Helena higher than in the rest of Montana?
- Helena pay is 16% above the Montana figure of $85,280 a year, ranking 2nd of 5 metro areas in the state. Bozeman pays the most in Montana at $99,310.