Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Montana 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Montana registered nurses earn an average of $68,100 per year in 2026. Despite having some of the most spectacular geography in the country, Montana's remote rural communities face severe nursing shortages. NHSC loan repayment, tribal health programs, and critical access hospital incentives make Montana a meaningful option for nurses seeking rural adventure with financial support.
Montana RN Salary by City (2026)
| City | Avg Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Billings | $71,500 | $34.38 |
| Missoula | $69,500 | $33.41 |
| Great Falls | $67,500 | $32.45 |
| Bozeman | $67,000 | $32.21 |
| Kalispell | $66,000 | $31.73 |
| Helena | $65,500 | $31.49 |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in Montana
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $207,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $80,000 |
| ER / Emergency RN | $78,000 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $76,500 |
| Labor & Delivery RN | $73,000 |
| Med-Surg RN | $67,000 |
Top Employers in Montana
- Billings Clinic — Montana's largest health system; Level II trauma, regional referral center for eastern MT and northern WY
- SCL Health St. Vincent Healthcare — Billings; Ascension-affiliated, strong cardiac and oncology programs
- Providence St. Patrick Hospital — Missoula; western Montana's primary referral center
- Benefis Health System — Great Falls; north-central Montana's regional hub
- Logan Health — Kalispell; serving the Flathead Valley and Glacier country
NLC Compact Status
Montana is a full NLC compact member. RNs with a Montana multistate license may practice in all NLC compact states. Montana nurses working near borders with Wyoming, Idaho, North Dakota, and South Dakota all benefit from compact reciprocity.
Montana RN Market Outlook
Montana's rural communities — from the Hi-Line to the Crow Reservation — have persistent nursing shortages with NHSC loan repayment eligibility across most counties. Tribal health programs (IHS) offer federal pay scales that often exceed regional private wages. Travel RN rates in Billings run $1,550–$1,950/week.
Related: RN Salary Wyoming 2026, RN Salary Idaho 2026, Montana RN License Guide.
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