RN Salary in Montana: $85,280 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Montana earn a median of $85,280 per year — $41.00 an hour — $12,270 below the national median of $97,550, ranking #30 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Montana RNs earn between $70,120 and $113,920. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Montana RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Montana RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Montana With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Montana side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | Montana | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $85,280 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $41.00/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $70,120 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $100,800 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $113,920 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 10,950 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Montana has 20 board-approved nursing programs across 16 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Montana?
RNs in Montana earn a median of $85,280 per year — $41.00 per hour — $12,270 below the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Montana #30 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Montana?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Montana, the 10th percentile is $70,120 and the 25th percentile is $80,210. Most RNs move toward the $85,280 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Montana earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Montana earn above $113,920 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Montana?
10,950 registered nurses are employed in Montana per the BLS May 2025 estimates.