Salary Report for Montana Registered Nurses
Montana Rankings
Compare Montana to U.S.
Montana Registered Nurses earn an average of $73,610 which is 11% less than the national average salary of $82,750.
| Type | Montana | U.S. | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Hourly Wage | $35.39 | $39.78 | -11.04% |
| Average Annual Salary | $73,610 | $82,750 | -11.05% |
Salary Range by Education and Experience
In Montana, 50% of Registered Nurses earn between $61,050 and $79,360 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.
About 10% of Registered Nurses earn more than $97,260, a rate generally associated with highly educated and experienced Registered Nurses.
Approximately 10% of Registered Nurses earn under $60,320, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Registered Nurses.
| Percent | Experience | Employed | Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10% | Less than a Year | 964 | Under $60,320 |
| 15% | 2 – 4 years | 1,446 | $60,320 – $61,050 |
| 25% | 5 – 9 years | 2,410 | $61,050 – $75,000 |
| 25% | 10 – 14 years | 2,410 | $75,000 – $79,360 |
| 15% | 15 – 20 years | 1,446 | $75,000 – $97,260 |
| 10% | 20+ years | 964 | Above $97,260 |
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living
After being adjusted for cost-of-living, Registered Nurses in Montana nurses earn about $79,630 per year which is less than the average U.S. nurse of $82,750.
Cost-of-living in Montana is 8% less than the national average, which means Montana residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to other states.
More cost-of-living reports for U.S. States.
Salary Compared to Related Professions
With an average annual salary of $73,610, Montana Registered Nurses tend to earn less than Nurse Practitioners ($115,710), and Nursing Instructors ($77,380).
However, Registered Nurses tend to earn more than Nursing Assistants ($32,050), and LPNs ($48,300).
| Title | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | $115,710 |
| Nursing Instructors | $77,380 |
| Registered Nurses | $73,610 |
| LPNs | $48,300 |
| Nursing Assistants | $32,050 |
Projected Demand for Nurses in 2030
The U.S. Department of Labor projects that in Montana the three professions needing the most new nurses by 2030 are Registered Nurses (11,810), Nursing Assistants (6,750) and LPNs (2,550).
The three professions in Montana needing highest percentage new nurses by 2030 are Nurse Practitioners (53.7%), Nursing Instructors (18.2%) and Nurse Anesthetists (14.3%).
| Title | 2020 | 2030 | Change | Yearly Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | 10,680 | 11,810 | 10.6% | 700 |
| Nursing Assistants | 6,090 | 6,750 | 10.8% | 840 |
| LPNs | 2,280 | 2,550 | 11.8% | 210 |
| Nurse Practitioners | 670 | 1,030 | 53.7% | 80 |
| Nursing Instructors | 220 | 260 | 18.2% | 30 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | 70 | 80 | 14.3% | 0 |
Salaries Ranked by Montana Cities
The average salary for Registered Nurses in Montana is $73,610. The top cities that pay Registered Nurses the most are Billings ($77,070), Missoula ($74,090) and Southwest Montana Nonmetropolitan Area ($74,070).
When adjusted for cost-of-living, the cities that pay Registered Nurses the highest average annual salary are Billings ($82,226), Southwest Montana Nonmetropolitan Area ($80,067) and Missoula ($79,173).
The following table shows the average yearly salary range for Registered Nurses in each city, and the average yearly salary after being adjusted for cost-of-living in that state.
The difference column shows how much more or less purchasing power a Registered Nurses salary will have in that area.
| Area | Average Salary | COL Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $77,070 | $82,226 | $5,156 |
| Missoula | $74,090 | $79,173 | $5,083 |
| Southwest Montana Nonmetropolitan Area | $74,070 | $80,067 | $5,997 |
| West Montana Nonmetropolitan Area | $71,220 | $76,986 | $5,766 |
| East-Central Montana Nonmetropolitan Area | $70,610 | $76,327 | $5,717 |
Salary FAQ for Montana Registered Nurses
City and Rural Summaries
Billings
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $77,070
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $82,226
Hourly Wage: $37.05
Currently Employed: 2,420
Cost-of-Living Index: 93.73
Billings Salary Report
East-Central Montana Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $70,610
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $76,327
Hourly Wage: $34
Currently Employed: 1,200
Cost-of-Living Index: 92.51
East-Central Montana Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
Missoula
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $74,090
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $79,173
Hourly Wage: $35.62
Currently Employed: 1,160
Cost-of-Living Index: 93.58
Missoula Salary Report
Southwest Montana Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $74,070
Adjusted for Cost of Living: $80,067
Hourly Wage: $36
Currently Employed: 2,300
Cost-of-Living Index: 92.51
Southwest Montana Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
West Montana Nonmetropolitan Area
Average Registered Nurses Salary: $71,220
Adjusted for Cost-of-Living: $76,986
Hourly Wage: $34.24
Currently Employed: 1,500
Cost-of-Living Index: 92.51
West Montana Nonmetropolitan Area Salary Report
Official Data Sources for Registered Nurses: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data
